Why do PE electrofusion fittings need pretreatment before installation

In the field of pipeline engineering, polyethylene (PE) electrofusion pipe fittings have become the preferred components of many engineering projects due to their excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and convenient installation characteristics. However, even high-quality electrofusion pipe fittings still need to go through a series of rigorous pretreatment processes before installation to ensure welding quality, improve system performance and extend service life.

Importance of pretreatment
Welding quality assurance
The primary goal of pretreatment is to ensure welding quality. If contaminants on the surface of pipes and fittings, such as oxide layers, grease and dust, are not removed, they will hinder the fusion of the melt and lead to insufficient welding strength. Through effective pretreatment, it can be ensured that the melt flows and mixes fully during the welding process to form a weld with reliable strength.
Improvement of system pressure bearing capacity
Unpretreated pipes and fittings may have defects such as pores and slag inclusions due to impurities during welding. These defects will directly affect the strength and toughness of the weld, thereby reducing the pressure bearing capacity of the entire pipeline system. Through pretreatment, these defects can be effectively reduced, significantly improving the safety and reliability of the system.
Extended service life
Pretreatment can also remove stress concentration points on the surface of pipes and fittings, such as scratches and burrs, which are prone to cause cracks and leaks during use. By eliminating these potential safety hazards, the service life of the pipeline can be significantly extended.
Guarantee of project progress
Although pretreatment work seems cumbersome, it can actually significantly improve installation efficiency. Pretreated pipes and fittings can be connected more smoothly during welding, reducing rework and repair time caused by welding quality problems, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the project.

Specific steps of pretreatment
Pipe cutting
Use professional cutting tools to cut the pipe to the required length, ensuring that the cut surface is flat and burr-free. Avoid using rough tools during cutting to avoid damage to the pipe surface, which will affect the subsequent welding quality.
Surface cleaning of pipes and fittings
Use tools such as scrapers and sandpaper to carefully clean the oxide layer and dirt at the connection parts of pipes and fittings. Make sure there are no omissions during cleaning, and be careful to avoid damage to pipes and fittings to ensure the cleanliness of the welding surface.
Pipe marking
Mark the depth of insertion into the fitting clearly on the surface of the pipe to ensure that there is no deviation during the connection process. The marking should be accurate and easy to identify to avoid errors during installation.
Pipe pretreatment
For pipe fittings, ensure that the internal melt tank and electrode connection points are clean and free of impurities. If necessary, solvents such as alcohol can be used for cleaning to ensure pure materials during welding.