Plastic Pipe Welding Services
With more than 40 years of experience, Axenics offers clean and repeatable plastic pipe welding services that mirror our welding capabilities for metals.
Our certified welders are capable of welding polymer-based materials including:
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE/FPA), which is resilient, stable and features the ability to withstand exposure to harsh chemicals.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), which is lightweight and rigid as well as known for its strength and fire-retardant properties.
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC), which is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures.
- Polypropylene (PP), which is known for its elasticity and high chemical resistance.
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is known for its broad strength-to-density ratio.
- Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a durable, strong plastic known for its ability to withstand harsh chemicals.
Plastic pipe welding is commonly used to create custom manifolds and assemblies. Extrusion welding allows for joining two units as an alternative to bulky or expensive fittings, saving time, space, and money. Precision plastics welding produces strong and complex systems that meet our customers’ exact project requirements.
Axenics welds plastic piping using heat (hot air) fusion, butt welding or solvents. Our thermoplastic pipe welding process involves the joining of two polymer-based units heated to create the strongest possible bond. The two plastic materials heat simultaneously to become pressed together. A permanent bond is formed once cooled.
What is Plastics Welding?
Plastics welding is a means to create a molecular bond between two compatible thermoplastics. Plastics welding provides first-rate strength, and finished welds are long-lasting, meaning that any required replacements and/or repairs will occur way down the line. One way that plastic welds prove superior to steel weldments is that chemicals can corrode and contaminate metal, severely decreasing its usefulness in certain applications. A plastic weld is will not corrode when the proper plastic material is used and the welds are tested and confirmed to be high strength and leak free.
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Many industries currently require the use of volatile chemicals, including alternative energy, chemical manufacturing, life science, semiconductor, and medical device. Creating complex components with miniature segments through which liquids and gases can easily pass is a huge challenge. Plastics welding helps construct patient-monitoring devices, diagnostic instruments and medical device industry machinery used in life-saving operations. Plastics welding is a top solution for manufacturing those components for safety purposes ensuring a longer lifespan.
Plastics Welding Process
There are three main steps to producing plastic weldments:
Surface Preparation
First, a technician examines each plastic component for defects. We clean and/or abrade the plastic components to assist in the welding process. This can be a time-consuming task, though it is highly recommended to ensure that the welded plastic is top quality. Performing surface preparation thoroughly reduces oxidation of the plastic and eliminates potential contaminants like dirt. Any contaminants have a negative effect on the final quality of the product.
Welding Applications
Plastics welding happens in several ways, and at Axenics, we generally do it via the use of heat. Welding results from use of a chemical solvent, depending on the type of plastics being melded together.
Plastic softens with heat energy to make it easier to manage. We use steam, hot gas, a welding rod, a laser or a hot plate. We primarily use hot gas welding a.k.a. heat fusion or butt welding. Achieving the proper temperature range is critical for plastics welding.
While the plastic components are pliable, they go into a vise causing the edges of the plastic to bond together. Consistent pressure ensures the quality and integrity of a weld.
Axenics’ thermoplastic welding process uses nitrogen and heat to join two polymer-based products, resulting in a weldment with stability and strength.
Cooling
Next, the new weldment cools and hardens. Cooling is a necessary step in the effort to solidify the bond. This step has a significant effect on the strength of your finished weld. Pressure during the cooling step assists in shape retention. Otherwise, the material might shrink and alter the shape of the product, negatively affecting the results.
Plastics Welding Benefits
Plastics welding is a faster and simpler fabrication process than welding with metals because plastics are lighter in weight than many metals. Plastics are also a wise choice for maintaining the safety and reliability of your end product since they are more chemically resistant than most metals.
Plastic components are frequently used in applications where metal components could corrode or decay due to the gas or liquids being transported. We see this often in the medical device, chemical manufacturing, semiconductor, and life sciences industries. Companies in each of these industries face complex challenges solved by plastic pipe bending and welding.
Our highly skilled and trained welders perform ¼-inch pipe-to-pipe welds. Axenics uses a custom-built machine capable of repeating a simple welding process automatically to save our customers time and money.
Plastic manufacturing requires a high level of skill and expertise to ensure the integrity of the bends and welds. Our qualified technicians can weld and bend plastics to fit almost any shape and/or space requirements without the need for adding multiple joints and fixtures.
Other benefits for plastics welding in manufacturing include:
- Plastic weldments have a strong resistance to acids, alkalis, greases and solvents, hydrogen peroxide, demineralized water and hot steam.
- Plastic welds offer a minimal release of gas under vacuum, helping maintain a sterile environment.
- Plastic weldments feature a strong plasma resistance that reduces the possibility of corrosion.
- Plastic weldments resist thermal degradation and maintain a high operating strength and rigidity in high temperatures.
- Plastic weldments offer the benefits of good creep and chemical resistance, minimal thermal expansion and good wear resistance.
- Plastics welding provides a simplified system that delivers a consistent, highly repeatable performance.
- Welded sub-systems offer multiple flow rates and pressures as well as offer assistance with temperature control.
Plastic Pipe Welding with Axenics
Our highly skilled and trained welders perform ¼-inch pipe-to-pipe welds. Axenics uses a custom-built machine capable of repeating a simple welding process automatically to save our customers both time and money. The reproducibility of the plastic welds is second to none.
Plastic components assist applications where metal components could corrode or decay due to the gas or liquids being transported. We see this often in the medical device, chemical manufacturing, semiconductor, and life sciences industries. Companies in each of these industries face complex challenges that can be solved by plastic pipe bending and welding.
Perhaps even more than fabricating with metals, plastic manufacturing requires a high level of skill and expertise to ensure the integrity of the bends and welds. Our qualified technicians can weld and bend plastics to fit almost any shape and/or space requirements without the need for adding multiple joints and fixtures.
Welding technology is evolving daily and our welding processes and welding techniques evolve just as fast.
Partnership Perks
Discover the perks of pipe welding companies partnerships, including:
- Increased in-house efficiency
- Faster company growth
- Added profitability
Frequently Asked Questions About Welding Plastics
Many people automatically think of metal when welding comes up, but welding plastics is commonplace. This is the recommended solution for our clients in industries such as medical devices, life sciences, and semiconductors.
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Because plastics are generally lighter in weight than many metals, plastics welding can be a faster and simpler fabrication process than welding with metals. Plastics are more chemically resistant than most metals, so plastic welds for components used to transport caustic materials maintain the safety and reliability of the end product.
Here are some of the top questions asked about plastics welding.
How do you join two pieces of plastic?
At Axenics, we use a hot gas welder for welding plastic. This process is also known as heat fusion or butt welding. We recommend a thermoplastic pipe welding process using heat to join two polymer-based products. The plastic goes through a process where it heats to soften the plastic, and then it is pushed or fused together to bond the two pieces. This results in a viable and stable bond.
What will best bond plastic to plastic?
A bonding agent used to adhere plastic to plastic depends on the types of plastic. Some plastics react better to a chemical solvent bond, while other plastics have a better result with a heat bond.
Is it possible to weld together dissimilar plastics?
This depends on the types of plastics and the process used to bond them. Generally, welding two varying plastics is not a best practice, as they may not create as strong a bond as two similar plastics.
How strong are the welds?
Thermoplastics, while extremely versatile, create durable, long-lasting welds. Certain plastics also will have a slower deterioration time than metals, so depending on the project and the ultimate use of the components, we recommend a solution to you that will ensure that the welds have staying power.
What are common uses for welded plastics?
Welded plastics have virtually thousands of uses. For example, you can utilize welds in the medical field to transport gases and chemicals through small-to-large life-saving components. Using plastic welds avoids the complication of transporting materials through corroding metal components.
Can you melt plastic together?
Yes, plastic can melt together as long as the two pieces of plastic are the same type of material. “Melting” plastics together is not necessarily the same as welding plastics.
Can you use a soldering iron to weld plastics together?
You should not use a soldering iron to weld two plastics together as the bond formed will likely be weak and not useful for the transport of most liquids, gases or other chemicals. You’re not going to get a permanent bond by using a soldering iron.
How do I identify plastics for welding?
Understanding the types of plastics to use for welding is paramount to the success of the end product. Our experts are trained specifically to know which engineered plastics have the properties needed to meet your objectives. We source quality materials daily and are well-versed in all things plastic, whether it be conductivity, density, bonding, molecular weight, thermo properties, and more.
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Plastic Pipe Welding Process
There are three main steps to plastic welding:
Surface Preparation
First, the technician will check each plastic component for defects. The plastic components are often cleaned and/or abraded in order to aid in the welding process.
Welding Applications
Plastic pipe welding can be performed in several ways. It is often performed with the use of heat, though it can also be done through use of a chemical solvent, depending on the type of plastics being joined. PVC, for example, is sometimes welded with the use of dichloromethane. This chemical temporarily dissolves the chemical bond in PVC, which allows the plastic component to be changed before the bond is restored.
Using heat, the plastic can be softened to make it easier to work with. Heat can be applied by using steam, hot gas, a welding rod, a laser or a hot plate. While the plastic components are soft, they are put into a vise, where pressure is applied to the pieces, causing the edges to bond together. Consistent pressure must be applied to ensure the quality and integrity of the weld.
Cooling
Once the welding process is complete, the newly formed product is left to cool. Pressure may continue to be applied during the cooling process to help the product retain its shape. If pressure is not applied during cooling, the shape of the product is sometimes altered from material shrinkage.
Growth of Plastic Pipe Bending & Welding Services
We live in a world of plastics and metals, and plastic tube bending and pipe welding companies services are in high demand with no signs of slowing down. Growth of the medical device field and requirements for smaller pipes to safely transfer liquids and chemicals is one reason why there is continued growth in the custom bending of plastic tubing.
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Reasons why plastic tube bending and plastic pipe welding are beneficial solutions:
- Cost savings: If you’re looking to keep costs low, while still achieving high-quality and high-purity results, plastic tube bending is a perfect solution. Precision tube bending allows OEMs to cease the need for excess joints and fixtures needed with joint welding.
- Time savings: By eliminating joints and welds within the complex assembly system, the plastic tube bending process is quick, and there is less opportunity for leaks or cracks creating a combination of high-quality results and short lead times. Quality component manufacturers are in huge demand. OEMs in the biotechnology and medical device industries are consistently creating brand-new automations, and those systems have to go through many steps before seeing a final product.
There are several reasons why we continue to deliver high-quality components – and fast.
Axenics regularly stocks many common fittings used across multiple industries. Great relationships with our vendors are key, as parts are ordered and delivered quickly. We have seen lead time for parts go from one to two weeks to more than two months in some cases, so we believe keeping common fittings in stock is a smart business tactic.
It is important to hire and empower the best team. We cross-train our production team to ensure we provide top-tier service. Our team understands industry specifications, so Axenics has very few returned parts. Our current quality rating is 99.7%. We guarantee our lead times get met because we will deliver precisely what you need the first time.
We’re proud to declare that component manufacturing is our specialty. With decades of experience, our skills to create components built to specification are at the top of the industry. Our technicians create components utilizing high-purity pipe welding, TIG welding, CNC tube bending and cutting for piping systems. Because you won’t have to ramp up those skills or purchase that machinery, you can focus your resources elsewhere, saving time and money.
Thermoplastic Welding Methods
As part of our comprehensive plastic welding services, Axenics employs a variety of thermoplastic welding methods to ensure precision, durability, and leak-free results. Thermoplastics are ideal for applications requiring resistance to corrosion, chemical exposure, and high-purity environments, making them a top choice for industries like semiconductors, life sciences, and chemical manufacturing.
Our team utilizes multiple welding methods depending on the material, configuration, and performance demands of your project
Hot Air Welding
Also known as heat gun welding, this method uses a stream of heated air to soften thermoplastic components. A filler rod is often used to create a seamless bond. Hot air welding is ideal for fabricating or repairing complex shapes and structures in plastic assemblies.
Butt Welding
This highly repeatable method is commonly used for joining pipe sections. The ends of two thermoplastic pipes are heated simultaneously, then pressed together under precise pressure to form a strong, uniform bond. Our custom-built machines ensure consistency across high-volume production runs.
Socket Fusion Welding
Often used for smaller diameter pipes, socket fusion involves heating both the pipe and fitting with a custom tool and then inserting one into the other to create a clean, permanent seal. This is a popular option in systems requiring tight space tolerances.
Infrared (IR) Welding
This contactless method is used for high-purity applications where particulate contamination must be avoided. Infrared energy heats the joining surfaces without touching them, and then the components are pressed together to form a reliable, contamination-free bond.
Solvent Welding
In this chemical-based method, a solvent temporarily softens the surfaces of compatible plastics, allowing them to fuse at a molecular level. Once the solvent evaporates, the two pieces form a rigid and durable bond. This technique is often used for PVC and CPVC piping systems.
Each of these thermoplastic welding methods is performed by Axenics’ certified technicians, ensuring cleanroom-quality results with every weld. Whether you’re building a single prototype or scaling to full production, our plastic welding services are engineered to meet your performance, purity, and reliability standards.
Extrusion Welding Technique
One of the most versatile tools in our lineup of plastic welding services is extrusion welding, a method ideal for joining thicker thermoplastic components or fabricating custom plastic assemblies. At Axenics, we use this technique to deliver high-strength welds with consistent quality across a wide range of applications—particularly in systems where structural integrity and chemical resistance are paramount.
What is Extrusion Welding?
Extrusion welding involves simultaneously heating the surfaces of two plastic components while extruding a molten thermoplastic filler between them. This method is especially effective for welding large or thick plastic parts where hot air welding alone may not provide sufficient bond strength.
Why Choose Extrusion Welding?
Stronger Bonds:
The added material from the welding rod increases overall weld strength and durability.
Ideal for Complex Assemblies:
Extrusion welding allows us to fabricate intricate, multi-component plastic systems with precision.
Efficient for Thick Sections:
It’s the go-to method for joining thermoplastic sheets or parts greater than 6mm in thickness.
Clean and Repeatable:
Our skilled welders control both temperature and feed rate to ensure consistent, contamination-free results.
Applications of Extrusion Welding
We often employ extrusion welding to build or repair custom manifolds, tanks, ducting systems, and structural plastic components. This technique is commonly used in high-purity chemical transport systems and life sciences applications where leak-proof reliability is non-negotiable.
As with all of our plastic welding services, extrusion welding is performed in a controlled environment by trained professionals who understand the specific behavior of each thermoplastic material. The result is a finished product that meets stringent performance standards.
Skilled Workforce and Training in Plastic Pipe Welding Services
At the core of our plastic pipe welding services is a highly-skilled workforce trained to meet the most stringent of industry standards. With more than four decades of hands-on experience, our technicians bring precision, consistency, and craftsmanship to every weld.
Our plastic welders undergo extensive and ongoing training to stay current with the latest materials, welding technologies, and safety practices. Each team member is trained in the proper handling and welding of thermoplastics, including PVC, CPVC, PVDF, PP, PTFE, and HDPE. Whether it is a simple ¼-inch weld or a complex manifold assembly, our experts execute every task with the utmost accuracy.
We understand that the quality of a weld is only as strong as the skill behind it. That is why we invest heavily in both our people and our process, because when it comes to critical applications in industries like semiconductors, life sciences, and chemical manufacturing, there is no room for error.
Certifications and Standards for Plastic Pipe Welding Services
Axenics delivers plastic pipe welding services that align with the most rigorous industry certifications and standards, ensuring every weld is clean, consistent, and dependable. Our commitment to quality and compliance is embedded in every step of our process, from materials selection to final inspection.
Our technicians are certified to perform welding on a wide range of thermoplastics, following strict procedures that meet or exceed guidelines set by ASTM, ASME, and other industry-recognized organizations. We maintain documentation and traceability for all welds, giving our clients confidence in the strength and longevity of each system.
In highly regulated industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, chemical processing, and life sciences, precision is critical. That is why Axenics follows good manufacturing practices and conducts internal audits to ensure our plastic pipe welding services remain compliant with evolving industry demands.
We also operate in controlled environments where cleanliness is essential. Our cleanroom welding capabilities allow us to fabricate plastic assemblies for sensitive applications without the risk of contamination. Every weld is tested for integrity, strength, and leak resistance, confirming our high standards before your system is ever put into operation.
Advanced Welding Processes for Plastic Pipe Welding Services
We stay at the forefront of innovation by integrating advanced welding processes into our plastic pipe welding services. Our in-house expertise and specialized equipment allow us to take on complex projects that demand precision, consistency, and tight tolerances.
We utilize a range of plastic welding methods to meet the unique needs of each application. These include hot gas welding, butt fusion, infrared welding, and solvent bonding, each selected based on material type, environmental factors, and the required strength of the weld. For high-purity applications, such as those found in semiconductor and life sciences environments, we can employ non-contact infrared welding to reduce particulate generation and maintain weld cleanliness.
Our welding equipment is engineered for repeatability, allowing us to produce identical welds across high-volume production runs. This level of consistency not only improves quality but also reduces overall production time and cost. Our machines are calibrated and tested regularly to ensure they meet exact specifications with every use.
We also continuously research and adopt emerging welding technologies, allowing us to remain a trusted partner for companies seeking cutting-edge solutions. Whether your project involves standard pipe-to-pipe connections or complex assemblies with tight spatial constraints, our advanced welding capabilities ensure results that are durable, clean, and built to last.
Axenics’ plastic pipe welding services are designed to evolve with your industry, delivering the performance, precision, and reliability you need.
Safety Measures in Plastic Pipe Welding Services
At Axenics, safety is built into every aspect of our plastic pipe welding services. We prioritize the protection of our team, our clients’ systems, and the environments in which our products operate. That means following strict safety protocols during every phase of production, from material handling to final assembly.
Our technicians receive training on the safe use of welding equipment, proper ventilation procedures, and handling of thermoplastics and chemical bonding agents. Each welding method is carefully matched with its appropriate safety controls, including temperature regulation, personal protective equipment, and contamination prevention.
Workspaces are kept clean, organized, and monitored to eliminate risk and reduce the chance of error. In projects involving high-purity systems or hazardous materials, additional precautions are taken to maintain cleanroom standards and ensure zero cross-contamination.
All plastic pipe welding processes are conducted with equipment that is routinely inspected and maintained for optimal safety and performance. Any materials used in welding, including solvents and gases, are stored, labeled, and disposed of in compliance with OSHA regulations and applicable industry standards.
Safety is a fundamental part of how we deliver high-quality plastic pipe welding services that our customers can rely on in the most critical applications.
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