TECHNICAL
INFORMATION
Products Available for a Wide Range of Applications
Above and below ground
Our product portfolio supports both above-ground and below-ground installations across diverse industrial and infrastructure applications. Plas-Tec pipework and associated fittings are available in nominal diameters ranging from 32 mm to 560 mm, ensuring compatibility with both small-scale systems and large-diameter network installations.
We maintain comprehensive stock holdings across multiple material specifications and pressure classes to meet varied operational requirements. Our inventory includes:
- Polypropylene (PP) systems
- Polyethylene (PE) systems ranging from SDR26 through to SDR11
These products are suitable for applications requiring chemical resistance, structural integrity, and performance under varying pressure regimes.
Detailed technical specifications — including material data sheets, pressure ratings, dimensional tolerances, chemical compatibility charts, and installation guidance — are available upon request.
Abrasion
Resistance
The surface structure and strength of the material prevent deposits and incrustations.
Thermal
Resistance
The material will retain its characteristics and will not deform or break in temperatures ranging between -40°/+80.
Resistance to Mechanical Stress
The properties of the polymer have the strength to withstand impact and external stress similar to metalic materials. Provided technical rules are adhered to ensure the Plas-Tec range can be encased in concrete underground.
Vibration
Resistance
Due to the flexibility and elasticity of the polymer, the material will withstand deformations without breaking.
Welding
Processes
The fittings can be connected by using the Electrofusion process and the Butt fusion process. The correct process for each procedure should be adhered to.
Butt Welding:
- Cleaning – The pipe ends are cleaned to remove physical contamination deposited during transport, handling and storage and then presented to the welding station.
- Clamping – The pipes are clamped into the machine. One side is fixed, and one side can move. The pipes are clamped and checks are made to ensure their ends align.
- Trimming/Scraping – The pipe ends are cleaned by either a trimmer tool or manual scraper to remove oxidised material, physical contaminants, and any damaged sections.
- Aligning – After cleaning the pipe ends, checks are made that the pipe ends butt squarely against each other without any gaps and any offsets are within agreed acceptance limits.
- Melting – The pipe ends are pressed against a hot plate at a set temperature to form intimate contact after which heat is allowed to soak into the end of the pipes.
- Cooling – The joint is immobilised in the clamps whilst the material cools and reforms its structure, only then is it removed from the machine.
Electrofusion:
Electrofusion welding employs fittings that are placed around the joint to be welded. Metal coils are implanted into the fittings, and an electric current is run through the coils to generate heat and melt part of the pipes, forming a joint upon solidification.
Tooling:
- Tooling required for the welding of an electrofusion fitting is a suitable electrofusion control box with power supply and a scraper capable of removing 0.2-0.4mm from the outside of the polyethylene pipe or fitting. A clamping system should be used to ensure that the joint’s movement is kept to a minimum during the heating and cooling cycle together.
- Please refer to the instructions for the welding unit and fitting used.
Technical Test
Testing for fusion jointing of Plas-Tec polyethylene PE80 SDR 26 fittings.
Hydrostatic Test – EN1519-2:2012
- 80°C 165hr test, Pressure – 3.6 bar, Hoop Stress 4.5mpa – Passed Burst Test – WIS 4-32-08
- Pipe failure at 15.66 bar (Fitting unaffected, pipes joined to the fitting to enable testing burst at 15.66 bar)
Tensile Test
- Maximum force (N) – 2926(N) , Tensile Stress (Mpa) – 15.01 Mpa, Elongation (%) – 155% – Ductile Pass