Quality Issues in Connection and Construction of Steel Belt Reinforced Pipes

The current plastic pipe market lacks standardized regulations, and connecting accessories for steel belt reinforced polyethylene spiral corrugated pipes are no exception. There are no unified industrial standards for heat-shrinkable sleeves and electric heating belts commonly used for pipe connection by steel belt pipe manufacturers.

Most manufacturers of pipe connectors lack in-depth understanding of the properties of polyethylene pipes. They fail to develop targeted products matching the structural characteristics of different PE structured wall pipes, resulting in a shortage of high-quality connecting accessories that can fully guarantee reliable connection performance.

It is suggested that powerful manufacturers engaged in connecting product production participate in the compilation of industry technical specifications, so as to incorporate mature connection structures and quality requirements into official codes. Meanwhile, dedicated product standards for the industry should be formulated to standardize market practices.

In addition, prominent quality defects still exist in on-site connection and construction operations of steel belt pipes. Most construction personnel have insufficient understanding of the working mechanism of various PE pipe connection structures, and often ignore the structural differences among different structured wall pipes. There is also a lack of construction procedures verified by practical connection quality tests, making it difficult for operators to control construction parameters accurately.

As reflected in mainstream connection technologies, although pipe connection construction is not overly complicated, the final connection quality is highly dependent on the professional competence and working attitude of construction workers. Therefore, stricter management shall be implemented for on-site construction teams. All frontline operators must receive systematic professional technical training, pass qualification assessments and hold valid certificates before taking up posts.

We hold the view that while attaching importance to the inherent quality of drainage pipes, the industry shall also pay high attention to pipe connection technologies. Effectively improving the production quality of connecting fittings and strengthening on-site construction quality control is the core driving force for the sound development of new-type pipeline products.