Microwave Resonant Probe-Based Defect Detection for Butt Fusion Joints in High-Density Polyethylene Pipes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Non-destructive Testing
• Microwave Engineering

Background:

• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are widely used in industrial and municipal applications.
• Ensuring the structural integrity of HDPE pipe joints is critical for reliable infrastructure.
• Current joint evaluation methods may be limited in efficiency and non-destructive capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel microwave resonant probe method for non-destructive defect detection in HDPE pipe butt fusion joints.
• To evaluate the efficiency and sensitivity of the proposed method in identifying common joint defects.
• To assess the potential of this technique for pipeline health monitoring.

Main Methods:

• An experimental setup integrating a microwave antenna and resonant cavity was designed.
• Real-time variations in resonance frequency and S21 magnitude were recorded while scanning the pipe surface.
• The method was tested for its ability to detect cracks, holes, and inclusions in HDPE butt fusion joints.

Main Results:

• The microwave resonant probe demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting defects within HDPE pipe joints.
• The technique successfully identified various sizes of cracks and holes.
• Distinguishing between different types of inclusions, such as talc powder and sand particles, was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The developed microwave resonant probe method offers an efficient and non-destructive approach for evaluating HDPE pipe butt fusion joints.
• This technique shows significant promise for pipeline health monitoring and quality control of welded joints in non-metallic materials.