scope:

This document describes the phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) of polyethylene electrofusion (EF) socket joints used for the conveyance of fluids. This document provides a test whereby the presence of imperfections such as voids, wire dislocation, misalignment, pipe under-penetration, particulate contamination, cold fusion and lack of fusion in electrofusion socket joints can be detected. The technique is only applicable to polyethylene electrofusion socket fittings without a barrier to ultrasonic waves. This document also provides requirements for procedure qualification and guidance for personnel qualifications, which are essential for the application of this test method

NOTE 1 At the time of publication, experience only exists on the use of PAUT for polyethylene (PE80 and PE100) electrofusion socket joint sizes between 90 mm and 710 mm (SDR 11 and 17)^{[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}.

NOTE 2 Round robin testing has shown that PAUT is a viable method for enhancing the integrity assessment of electrofusion joints^[16].

NOTE 3 This document does not apply to the detection of unscraped pipe. Such detection can be achieved by a simple visual inspection, provided mechanical scraping tools are employed.

[7] Kil S . H., Yoon K. B. Non-destructive evaluation of improper fusion for polyethylene heat fusion socket joints, Plastic Pipes XVII, Chicago, USA, September, 2014

[8] Hagglund F., Robson M., Troughton M., Spicer W., Pinson I. A Novel Phased Array Ultrasoic Testing (PAUT) System for On-site Inspection of Welded Joints in Plastic Pipes, 11th European Conference in Non-Destructive Testing (ECNDT), Prague, Czech Republic, October, 2014

[9] Angelini F., Louet P., Gueugnaut D. Using Phased Array for the control of polyethylene pipeline, ESOPE, Paris, October, 2013

[10] Bird C, Caravaca D, Raude A The inspection of cold welds in electrofusion joints, Plastics Pipes XIII, Washington DC, USA, October, 2006

[11] Postma P., Hermkens R. Suitability of Non Destructive Techniques for Polyethylene Pipe Joints. A GERG investigation into the suitability of current techniques, Plastic Pipes XVII, Chicago, USA, 2014

[12] Troughton M., Spicer M., Hagglund F. Development and assessment of a phased array ultrasonic inspection system for polyethylene pipe joints, ANTEC 2014 Conference, Las Vegas, USA, April, 2014

[13] Kil S.H., Yoon K.B. Inspection results of damaged polyethylene electrofusion joints using ultrasonic imaging method, Plastic Pipes XVI Conference, Barcelona, Spain, 2012

[16] Jorg. Wermelinger, Round robin test on PAUT for NDT on PE electrofusion couplers - Final report, ISO/TC138/SC5/WG17 document N246, November 2018