Heat fusion

After a specified amount of time, the heating plate is removed and the two pieces are pressed together and allowed to cool under pressure, forming the desired bond.

It is distinguished from butt-welding by using custom-shaped and -sized heating plates rather than a basic flat surface.

These heads allow for more surface contact, reducing the time needed to heat and fuse the pipe.

Electrofusion is a method of joining HDPE and other plastic pipes with special fittings that have built-in resistive wire which is used to weld the joint together.

As current is applied to the resistive wire, the coils heat up and melt the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe wall which weld together producing a very strong homogeneous joint.

The joints produced tend to be more reliable than threaded fittings sealed with O-rings.