HDPE Pipe failure
HDPE Pipe failure
(OP)
Dear sirs.
I am facing a problem in HDPE pipe big diameter in some joints fused in Factory. When we made the hydrotest, one of these joints failed almost totally.
We are thinking if UT is possible to be performed in order to detect any internal defect.
Have you performed some NDT test on this kind of joints in the past?.. Actually some of HDPE pipe suppliers mentions that NDT like UT or RT are not possible to be performed. I would gather some opinión. Thanks!
I am facing a problem in HDPE pipe big diameter in some joints fused in Factory. When we made the hydrotest, one of these joints failed almost totally.
We are thinking if UT is possible to be performed in order to detect any internal defect.
Have you performed some NDT test on this kind of joints in the past?.. Actually some of HDPE pipe suppliers mentions that NDT like UT or RT are not possible to be performed. I would gather some opinión. Thanks!





RE: HDPE Pipe failure
Here is a relevant report on a plastic gas pipe failure:
http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Documents/2015_Man...
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
Ask the vendor what QA he did on the joints and the physical proof ( these beads are often kept until delivery).
Pressure test is your only way of finding defcts in the joints other than cutting one apart to check for complete fusion.
This is a manufacturing defect so the action should be on the suppliers.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
I have seen joints passing hydrostatic but failing decohesion.
Whilst following process is very important, there are small differences between manufacturers of electrofusion fittings.
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
Saludos
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
I will appreciate if someone of the gentlemen here before have faced some problems like that and would like to know final solution.
RE: HDPE Pipe failure
Bring down an inspection company with the microwave technology and inspect
Try UT and MT and hope for the best (maybe able to detect a very large flaw, but cold fusion crack would be difficult)
Replace the joints (I don't know how many you have, may be too many) and QA/QC to the fusion process in the factory
What is the service of the pipelines? Probably the biggest concern is any defects in the welds could fail from fatigue growth in the future. If the servie is cyclical, could grow and fail in the future. If it is non-cyclical, given that the other sections have passed the hydrotest, there would be more limited opprotunity for flaw growth (need more info on service conditions to fully comment on this) and not as much concern. Also, don't know what the test pressure was in relation to the operating pressure.
Hydrotest at some frequency moving forward with contigency for a leak, this would solve the integrity issue, but obviously if flooding is the concern this might not be an option for you. Might be able to test only small sections rather than entire line to reduce volume of water????