Home / All / Technical FAQ for Butt Fusion Welding / How to Set the Heating Plate Temperature for PE100 and PE80 Pipe Butt Fusion Welding
How to Set the Heating Plate Temperature for PE100 and PE80 Pipe Butt Fusion Welding
In PE pipe butt fusion welding, the heating plate temperature is one of the key factors that affects welding quality. Many operators are used to setting the heating plate temperature at 220°C. However, in actual field welding, PE100 and PE80 pipes do not always follow the same temperature setting principle.
According to the general welding practice of DVS 2207-1 for PE-HD pipes, the heated tool temperature is usually selected within the range of 200–220°C. For smaller wall thicknesses, a higher temperature is normally used. For larger wall thicknesses, a lower temperature is generally preferred. For PE100 pipes, the upper temperature range is usually selected.
PE100 Pipes: Usually Around 220°C
For PE100 pipes, the heating plate temperature is normally set at around 220°C.
PE100 is a widely used high-performance polyethylene material for pressure piping systems. It offers good long-term strength and material stability. In the temperature recommendation curve based on DVS 2207-1, PE100 is generally shown at the upper temperature level, which is close to 220°C.
However, one important point should not be ignored: the temperature shown on the thermostat display is usually the actual heating plate temperature, not simply the set temperature. Before welding, the operator should make sure that the heating plate surface temperature has stabilized and is within the required range.
PE80 Pipes: Temperature Depends on Wall Thickness
For PE80 pipes, the heating plate temperature should not be understood as a fixed 220°C setting. Instead, it should be selected according to the pipe wall thickness.
A simplified way to understand the temperature trend is:
| Pipe Material | Wall Thickness Condition | Suggested Heating Plate Temperature |
| PE80 | Thin wall pipe | Close to 220°C |
| PE80 | Medium wall thickness | Around 205–215°C |
| PE80 | Thick wall pipe | Close to 200°C |
PE100 | Most common wall thicknesses | Around 220°C |
This table is intended to explain the general principle. For formal welding work, the final welding parameters should still follow the project specification, pipe manufacturer’s recommendations, and the applicable welding standard.
Why Does PE80 Require a Lower Temperature for Thicker Pipes?
This does not mean that thick-wall PE80 pipes require less heat. Instead, they require a more controlled and more uniform heating process.
For thick-wall PE80 pipes, heat needs more time to penetrate into the pipe wall. If the heating plate temperature is too high, the pipe end surface may become over-melted while the inner part of the wall has not been heated sufficiently. In serious cases, excessive surface temperature may also lead to material degradation and unstable bead formation.
That is why thick-wall PE80 pipes are usually welded with a lower heating plate temperature and a longer soaking time. This helps the pipe end form a more stable and uniform molten layer, reducing the risk of surface overheating and improving the reliability of the weld.
A simple way to understand it is:
Thin-wall pipe: higher temperature, shorter heating time.
Thick-wall pipe: lower temperature, longer soaking time.
Heating Plate Temperature Is Only One Part of the Welding Parameters
In butt fusion welding, temperature is important, but it is not the only factor that determines weld quality. A complete welding process also requires proper control of:
· Bead-up pressure
· Drag pressure
· Soaking time
· Changeover time
· Cooling time
· Pipe end facing quality
· Pipe alignment and misalignment control
· Heating plate surface cleanliness
Therefore, welding quality should not be judged by heating plate temperature alone. The correct welding parameters should be selected according to pipe material, pipe diameter, wall thickness, and the applicable welding standard.
Practical Recommendation
For PE100 pipes, the heating plate temperature is usually set at around 220°C.
For PE80 pipes, the temperature should be adjusted according to wall thickness. Thin-wall PE80 pipes can be heated close to 220°C, while thicker PE80 pipes normally require a lower temperature, gradually approaching around 200°C.
Operators should also check the actual heating plate temperature before welding, not only the set value on the controller. The heating plate should be clean, stable, and ready before it is brought into contact with the pipe ends.
Conclusion
PE100 and PE80 pipes require different considerations when selecting the heating plate temperature for butt fusion welding.
PE100 pipes are usually welded at around 220°C. PE80 pipes require temperature adjustment according to wall thickness: thin-wall pipes are close to 220°C, while thick-wall pipes gradually decrease toward around 200°C.
The correct temperature setting is not about making the pipe end “as hot as possible.” It is about forming a proper, stable, and uniform molten layer. For thick-wall PE80 pipes, a lower heating plate temperature combined with a longer soaking time often provides a more reliable welding result than simply increasing the temperature.
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