Detecting Cold Weld Defects in HDPE Piping Thermal Fusion Welds Based on Microwave Technique

Abstract:

In the present paper, an effective method for detecting the cold weld defects in the thermal fusion weld of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines based on microwave technique is proposed. Using a microwave testing system, HDPE piping welds containing cold weld defects caused by insufficient heating time were examined by frequency sweep within the range of 9.2-9.9 GHz. At the frequencies that were most sensitive to the cold weld defects, the measured reflection coefficient S₁₁ showed greatly different values between the good weld and those containing cold weld defects. The readily detectable differences in S₁₁ value make the detection of the cold weld defects possible and feasible. This work provides insights for non-destructive testing of technical defects in HDPE piping welds.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 423-426)
• Pages: 852-856
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.423-426.852
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Jin Ping Pan, Xin Wei Zhu, Lian Jiang Tan
• Keywords: Cold Weld Defects, HDPE Piping, Microwave Technique, Thermal Fusion Welds

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