Advances in Electrofusion Welding Technology for Polymeric Pipelines: From Process Optimization to Mechanism-Driven...

With the rapid development of clean and low-carbon energy systems, non-metallic pipelines have become increasingly important in urban gas distribution, water supply, and emerging energy-transport applications, including hydrogen service. As a critical joining technology that governs system integrity and long-term operational safety, electrofusion welding requires a comprehensive and mechanism-oriented understanding beyond empirical process control. In this study, a review is conducted on research published over the past decade in the field of electrofusion welding of non-metallic pipelines, with emphasis on fundamental technical issues including the formation and evolution of temperature fields, characteristics of the molten fusion zone and defect development, and thermo-mechanical coupling with residual stress generation. Based on a synthesis of the literature, the review clarifies the global research landscape, core research communities, and underlying knowledge structure. The results indicate a clear transition of the field from empirically driven parameter optimization toward a mechanism-based and process-controllable paradigm centered on temperature field evolution, fusion zone development, and thermo-mechanical behavior. Current research hotspots converge on HDPE material adaptability, welding process regulation, and the long-term reliability of welded joints. Building on these insights, future research directions are discussed, including mechanism-driven process design, intelligent defect identification based on multi-source data, and full-life reliability assessment under service conditions. This review provides a theoretical framework to support process optimization and engineering application of electrofusion welding in non-metallic pipeline systems.