Welding HDPE, how easy is it?

I was searching for ways to stick HDPE (in the knowledge that, being polythene, it's pretty dificult) and got some hits on HDPE welding rods. That set me to wondering how easy it is to weld, my father used to weld PVC to make ducting and I know when I played at doing that (many, many, years ago) it wasn't too difficult.

So, how easy is it to weld HDPE? I.e. if I get suitable welding rod and a suitable heat gun will I be able to mend a couple of HDPE water butts which have splits in them? Further (and presumably more difficult) is it realistic to think one might be able to weld a length of HDPE pipe into the water butt and make the joint waterproof?

Any experience/comments most welcome.

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tinnews
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It is normally fused together in a butt fusion machine. A thickish plate of metal is heated to, and maintained at a specific temperature, the two PE components are held against this plate at a specific pressure for a specific time. The plate is released and removed and the two components are forced together at a specific pressure for a specific time. It's specific. In your application I suspect you need to fuse on some repair patchs rather than weld.

mark

Reply to
mark

I'm thinking of the sort of plastic welding that uses a heat gun and welding rod. That was certainly what my father's factory used when making PVC ducting and it's presumably possible with HDPE as one can buy HDPE welding rod spcifically for the purpose.

Reply to
tinnews

Piece of cake. Howewever you need the right sort of hot air gun - quite a bit more oomph than the usual.

When I've needed this done, I've had a local car body specialist do it for me. They have the tools for repairing bodykits & spoilers.

Reply to
Andy Dingley

Try googling Plastic Kyak repair, there are loads of how too's out there. Chris

Reply to
G8PSZ

lay in a gas supply for space heating a barn and then decided against. I don't have details of current and time.

regards

Reply to
Tim Lamb

I cannot see this being what the op wants but I can get details from the installers that just laid 250 metres of 63 and 32 yellow gas pipe at work. They used a 3kVA petrol generator and a specialist transformer.

AJH

Reply to
andrew

I've sat on these things for about 20 years so it would be interesting to know. However, only if finding out is easy.

I found the tips on thermal rod welding interesting.

regards

Reply to
Tim Lamb

..., no it isn't what the OP was thinking of! :-)

I have ordered the basics for plastic welding, a 2000 watt heat gun, a nozzle and some welding rod (HDPE, ABS and PVC) so, when they arrive I'll try my hand at it. I know it wasn't too difficult welding PVC when I tried it thirty or forty years ago.

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tinnews

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