Hawkeye PE Fittings - Manual

Technical Bulletin TB-0408-FP
Fabricated Fitting Butt Fusion Procedure
1.0 Introduction
This document provides the general recommended practice and procedures for butt fusing Hawkeye Industries’ fabricated
polyethylene fittings, including the polyethylene portion of transition fittings, to a polyethylene pipe system. It is intended for use
with Hawkeye’s PE3408 and PE4710 / PE 100 fabricated high-density polyethylene fittings. This draft document will be updated as
information is available.
©2008 Hawkeye Industries Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This document is for reference only and is subject to change without notice. Hawkeye Industries Inc. has made every reasonable effort to ensure accuracy, but this document may not include all special
situations or novel applications. Do not use the data provided in this document for any design or engineering purposes. Refer to applicable standards and jurisdictionally authorized publications for any and
all pressure calculations; this document is only a guide. Any information released prior to this revision is obsolete.
2.0 Reference Documents
This procedure makes reference, directly or implied, from the
following documents:
ASTM D 2657
Standard Practice for Heat Fusion Joining of Polyolefin Pipe
and Fittings
CSA Z662-07
Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems
ERCB Directive 022 (Formerly EUB Directive 022)
Use of Bimodal High-Density Polyethylene Pipe in Oil and Gas
Service
PPI TR-33/2006
Generic Butt Fusion Joining Procedure for Field Joining of
Polyethylene Pipe
PPI TN-13/2007
General Guidelines for Butt, Saddle, and Socket Fusion of
Unlike Polyethylene Pipes and Fittings
PPI Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe, 1st Ed.
Chapter 9: Polyethylene Joining Procedures
3.0 Regulations
Read and follow stipulated fusion regulations specified by the
local jurisdictional authority.
3.1 Canadian Regulations
Refer to ERCB Directive 022 and CSA Z662-07, Sections
12.7.7.1 through 12.7.9.2.
3.2 US Regulations
Refer to US DOT Title 49 CFR Part 192.
4.0 Precautions
4.1 Connection Method
Hawkeye Industries’ fabricated polyethylene fittings shall only
be joined to a polyethylene pipe system by the heat fusion,
including butt, socket and electrofusion. Threading, solvent
bonding, hot-air or hot-gas welding, or extrusion welding
techniques, or any other method not explicitly defined as heat
fusion, are not permissible for pressure service. This
document covers only joining by butt fusion at this time.
4.2 Personnel Qualification
It is imperative that persons joining polyethylene pipe by heat
fusion are trained and qualified in the operation of fusion
equipment. Proof of qualification may be required in some
jurisdictions.
4.3 Fusing unlike PE Materials
Fittings fabricated from HDPE Material are fusion compatible
with like-designated resins, regardless of manufacturer. (i.e.
Hawkeye’s PE3408 fittings can be fused to any
manufacturers PE3408 pipe).
Fusing unlike HDPE resins (i.e. PE3408 to PE4710) can
result in satisfactory fusion joints. Refer to PPI Document TN-
13 for guidelines on fusing materials with unlike melt flow
properties. The standard PE100/PE4710 Material used by
Hawkeye Industries has a melt index of 0.6 g/10 min.
For joints where 800 psi Hydrostatic Design Stress (HDS)
material (i.e. PE3408, PE3608) is joined to 1000 psi material
(i.e. PE4710) the, pressure rating of the joint will be the same
as the lower-strength material. For this reason, Hawkeye
Industries recommends that PE3408/3608/3708 fabricated
fittings not be used on PE4710 or PE100 pipe systems.
However, PE4710 / PE100 fittings are still acceptable for use
on PE3408/3608/3708 systems.
4.4 Hydrocarbon Permeation
Polyethylene pipe and fittings can be affected by liquid
hydrocarbon (LHC) contamination. When present, LHC
permeates the polyethylene which makes joining by heat
fusion inappropriate. Fusions made with LHC contaminated
polyethylene may be weak and unreliable, and shall not be
allowed into service. Contamination can stem from either
LHC in the pipeline or fitting, or from LHC leeching from
contaminated soil around the pipeline or fitting.
LHC contamination is only a factor when performing heat
fusions. The presence of LHC does not have a negative
impact on the performance of the polyethylene pipeline or
fitting once in service.
4.5 Handling
Care must be taken when handling fabricated fittings to avoid
damage to the fusion surfaces, or the OD of the fitting.
Gouging the OD of the fitting can have a deleterious effect on
pressure rating, and damaged fittings should not be placed
into service. Do not drop fittings from any height.
Steps should be taken to minimize the installation force on y-
lateral fittings to prevent “wishboning.”
5.0 Fusion
Preparation
5.1 Inspection
Inspect the fusion area and the outside surface of the pipe
for unacceptable damage (cuts, deep scratches, gouges,
etc.). Do not use damaged fittings or pipe.