The invention relates to a process (100) for manufacturing an object (1) made of thermoplastic polymer composite from at least two parts (10) made of thermoplastic polymer composite, said thermoplastic polymer composite comprising a fibrous reinforcement and a thermoplastic polymer matrix, said process comprising the steps of:

arranging (120) the two parts (10) made of thermoplastic polymer composite adjacently or overlapping at an assembly interface zone (11), and

heating (130) to melt the thermoplastic polymer matrix at said assembly interface zone (11), so as to form an object (1) made of thermoplastic polymer composite comprising a welded interface (12).

The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining. However, prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.

Electrofusion tape and method for the production thereof for welding together with plastics pipes in particular for use in a fixed-point fastening, consisting of a jacket element preferably of an electrically insulating plastics material, at least one heating element of electrically conductive plastics material and at least two contact elements for supplying electricity to the heating element, wherein the jacket element and the heating element take the form of tapes, wherein the jacket element surrounds the heating element at least in part, wherein the contact elements are arranged in the mutually opposing marginal regions of the heating element and extend parallel to one another along the heating element.

An electroweldable branch fitting for high diameter pipes comprises at least a first collar (20, 20) provided with a predetermined radius of curvature (R), wherein the collar (20, 20) identifies on opposite sides a concave surface (21) and a convex surface (22), further comprising at least one first electrical wire winding (23) associated with the concave surface (21) of the collar (20, 20) and carrying one first pair of electrical terminals (24), arranged on the convex surface (22) of the collar (20, 20) for applying an electric current adapted to cause the electrofusion of the collar (20, 20), wherein the concave surface (21) of the collar (20, 20) is continuous, i.e. not perforated, and wherein the first electrical wire winding (23) is uniformly distributed on the concave surface (21) at least in the central part thereof, the collar (20, 20) being provided with a branch sleeve (30), centrally on the convex surface (22), for the connection to a branch pipe, the branch sleeve identifying a blind hole (32) having a bottom wall (32) consisting of the wall of the collar (20, 20).

A device (20) for installing a tubular junction sleeve inside a pipe (1), having a mandrel (20a) of longitudinal axis (XX) supporting on its surface at least a first peripheral chamber (21) having a wall (21a) that is radially expandable by inflation. The first wall including at least one electrical connector (21b) suitable for being connected to one end of said heater wire. The connector being connected to an umbilical (24) including at least a compressed air feed duct for inflating the first chamber and an electrical power supply duct connected to the electrical connector. The device being characterized in that the mandrel supports on its outer surface a second peripheral chamber (22) having a wall (22a) that is radially expandable by inflation, and also a weld inspection device (23) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the mandrel.

A coupling component having a first end and a second end, said fitting having a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, the first end of the component comprising a first tubular portion having a first internal diameter adapted to form a sliding fit with a first pipe section, and a first sealing means adapted such that the first end can be sealed in use to the first pipe section; the second end having a second diameter or cross-sectional area which is larger than the first diameter and wherein the second end incorporates a flange, wherein at least part of the face of said flange is in a plane substantially non-perpendicular to, or offset from, the longitudinal axis of the component.

A method for forming a connection between two tubular sections having a polymeric outer surface jacket, using electrofusion to fusion bond a casing of similar, non-crosslinked polymer to the outer surface of the tubular sections.

A plastic tank is comprised of two parts, a base and a top, that are permanently joined to each other by welding at a circumferential joint formed by two mating flanges of the parts. The faying surfaces of the flanges of the top and base have portions in the shape of a hollow truncated cone. Fusion weld elements are captured on the faying surfaces of the flanges of the assembled parts, and the elements melted by internal heating of metal portions of the elements.

System includes a first object having an energy-assisted bonding (EAB) mechanism along a surface of the first object. The EAB mechanism includes a heat-activatable adhesive layer and a carbon-filled (CF) sheet material. The CF sheet material is electrically conductive for resistive heating. A control sub-system is configured to control a coupling actuator to drive an actuator body toward the first object, wherein the actuator body and the first object engage each other. The coupling actuator is configured to apply pressure to the EAB mechanism along the surface of the first object. The control sub-system is also configured to control the power source to apply a current through the CF sheet material of the EAB mechanism to provide thermal energy through resistive heating that activates the adhesive layer along the interface.

A fusible fitting of this disclosure includes a saddle having a radially extending branch with a closed bottom end. The closed bottom end forms a portion of the saddle and contains some of the fusion wires that run through the saddle. After the fitting is fused to a pipe, the closed bottom end may be tapped through, with that portion of the fusion wires being removed along with the coupon. Because of this configuration, the branch may be a size-on-size or near size-on-size branch. For example, the radially extending branch may have an inside diameter in a range of greater than 75% of an inside diameter of the pipe to 100% of the inside diameter of the pipe plus one wall thickness of the pipe.