Side-Bend Tester tests for ductility in pipe fusion joints.
Press Release Summary:
Offering quality assurance testing in field, Guided Side-Bend Tester can perform bend-back test on polyethylene pipes with 1-7 in. of wall thickness. Testing method places entire wall thickness into tension and gives assurance of ductility. Tester works by using planer to cut test coupon that is then put into hydraulically powered device. Testing device bends coupon to strain fusion joint past material's yield point. If no breaks or gaps are visible, coupon and fusion joint have passed test.
Original Press Release:
McElroy Introduces Guided Side-Bend Tester
New device performs quality assurance testing in the field TULSA, Okla. - McElroy, the leader in pipe fusion equipment and accessories, recently introduced the Guided Side-Bend Tester. The quality assurance device performs a qualitative test for ductility in a fusion joint. The Guided Side-Bend Tester is a quick, safe replacement for "bend back" tests that have been performed in the field for many years. With the new equipment, an operator can perform a bend-back test on polyethylene pipes with 1 to 7 inches of wall thickness. This testing method places the entire wall thickness into tension and gives assurance of the ductility of joints. The test unit is compact and requires just a few common tools to conduct the process. "Our quality assurance tools are designed with the operator in mind," said Chip McElroy, president of McElroy. "This quick and simple test, when paired with our DataLogger® recording device can ensure others that fusion procedures were followed, that destructive tests were used and that results met expectations." The tester works by using a planer to cut a test coupon that is then put into a hydraulically powered device. The testing device bends the coupon in a controlled manner to strain the fusion joint past the material's yield point. If no breaks or gaps are visible in the joint, the coupon and fusion joint has passed the test. No external power is required for the device, and the tester equipment weighs less than 30 pounds. Operators will need a saw, planer and calipers to perform testing with McElroy's Guided Side-Bend Tester. The tester can be used alongside McElroy's In Field(TM) Tensile Tester to complete a full range of testing tools that will destructively test key elements of a fusion joint. To find out more information on the Guided Side-Bend Tester, visit www.mcelroy.com/fusion. About Pipe Fusion:
Pipe fusion, also known as butt fusion, is a widely accepted process that joins two pieces of thermoplastic pipe together with heat and pressure. Commonly associated with high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE), the butt fusion process starts by "facing" or shaving the pipe ends simultaneously so that they can be joined together with heat to create a continuous, sealed pipeline. The welding of the pipes is accomplished by using a hot plate in contact with the pipe ends, which heats the plastic to a molten state. Then, after its removal, the ends are pressed together under a controlled force to form a weld that is stronger than the pipe itself. Third-party industry research indi¬cates that HDPE pipe and joints can have a lifespan of more than 100 years. About McElroy Manufacturing, Inc.:
Founded in 1954, McElroy Manufacturing has grown from a two-person start-up in an Oklahoma garage, to the industry leader in the science of joining thermoplastic pipe. The name McElroy is recognized worldwide as the most reliable, efficient, rugged and technically advanced fusion equipment in the world. McElroy holds dozens of U.S. and foreign patents on fusion-related equipment. The company credits its marketplace leadership to an unyielding focus toward excellence. For additional information, please visit the McElroy website at www.mcelroy.com. Important Links:
McElroy on YouTube: www.mcelroy.com/youtube
McElroy on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/McElroyFusion
McElroy on Facebook: www.mcelroy.com/facebook
