At POLYMELT, we’re proud to say that our pipes are less labor-intensive to install than metallic pipes. Thermal fusion is a big part of the reason why. Our pipes don’t require welding with an open flame the way metal pipes do. Instead, they’re joined by a process that uses heat to fuse each piece of pipe together into a single piece.
Thermal fusion is a process used to join all kinds of thermoplastics. Rather than using glue, solder, or a mechanical connection and gasket, thermal fusion physically turns the two pieces of plastic into one piece. The process is similar to welding, but doesn’t require a filler material and, in POLYMELT’s case, thermal fusion does not weaken PP-R at the point of connection. Our thermal fusion connections use a large joining area, making the connection at least as strong as the pipe itself.
Thermal fusion works by returning the connection zones to their melt indices. This allows the polypropylene (PP-R) chains in two separate pieces to join together as the connection cools for a permanent bond, as if they were a single, manufactured piece. This prevents any sort of chemical or physical weakness at the point of connection and results in a much lower instance of leaks or failures.
Thermal fusion of POLYMELT piping requires specialized tools, which can be obtained through our tooling partners at McElroy, Ritmo, and Widos. They don’t require any special welding permits because they don’t use an open flame, and our pipes don’t produce any toxic gases during thermal fusion (or any other time). A skilled PP-R fabricator can assemble fused POLYMELT piping systems quickly and more easily than pipe systems that require welding or glue.
If you’re interested in thermal fusion training or simply want to know more about the process and its requirements, contact the experts today. POLYMELT pipes have been used around the world for more than 50 years. We’ll provide you with the resources you need to build stronger, longer-lasting connections in your next piping system.