Non-Destructive Testing of Damaged Thermoplastic Pipes Electrofusion Joints Using Phased Array Ultrasonic

Abstract

Non destructive testing(NDT) methods of electrofusion(EF) joints of thermoplastics pipes are required for fusion joint safety and for the long term reliability of a pipe system. Electrofusion joints, which are joined at the proper fusion process and procedures, may encounter defects due to the difference of ovality between pipes and coupling, improper fusion process or porosity result from electrofusion joining. These defects can cause the failure of pipeline and by extension, they can be caused the limit to expand the use of plastics pipes. This paper studies inspection results using ultrasonic imaging method for damaged polyethylene electrofusion joints. Gas was leaking from 250mm diameter polyethylene electrofusion joints at February 2004 which was electrofused at December 1994 and operation pressure was 2.45kPa. First, surface inspection was conducted and then in order to find the types of defects examination using ultrasonic imaging method was performed. Lack of fusion and inappropriate inserting for polyethylene pipes into electrofusion coupling were found and causes of the gas leak were judged that misalignment and insert defect. Cutting inspection was performed and each inspection results were compared to. Results of ultrasonic imaging method and cutting inspection were the same.

열가소성 플라스틱배관의 전기융착부에 대한 비파괴검사방법은 융착부의 안전성을 확보하고 장기적인 신뢰성을 확보하기 위한 방법이다. 정상적인 방법에 의하여 융착된 접합부에서도 배관의 진원도와 전기융착 소켓과의 진원도 차이 또는 기공 등에 의해 융착부에 결함이 발생할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 위상배열초음파를 이용하여 손상된 폴리에틸렌 전기융착부의 검사를 수행하였다. 검사 대상인 250mm 직경의 폴리에틸렌 배관 전기융착부는 1994년 12월에 융착되었으며 실제 작동 압력은 2.45kPa이다. 2004년 2월 소켓 이음부 근처에서 가스가 누설되어 수거되었다. 손상된 전기융착부에 대하여 첫 번째로 육안검사를 실시하고 다음에 위상배열초음파를 이용한 비파괴검사를 실시하였다. 그리고 절단 검사를 실시하여 각각의검사 결과와 비교하였으며 위상배열 초음파를 이용한 검사결과와 절단 검사 결과가 동일함을 확인하였다.