Method for making a pipe connection or fitting

摘要

A first pipe is connected to the wall of a container such as a larger pipe, tank or other vessel, wherein the transverse surface of one end of the first pipe is substantially flush with the inside surface of the portion of the wall of the container to which the first pipe is connected. The method for forming the pipe connection relies upon the plastic memory of the synthetic thermoplastic polymeric material from which the end portion of the first pipe and the portion of the wall of the container, to which the first pipe is to be connected, are formed. The diameter of a hole in the wall of the container is expanded in a cold condition in such a manner that the edges of the hole expand outwardly from the wall of the container while the diameter of the end portion of the first pipe is reduced in a cold condition such that the reduced diameter portion of the first pipe can be inserted into the expanded hole. The plastic memory of the synthetic thermoplastic polymeric material from which the end portion of the first pipe and the wall of the container, to which the first pipe is to be connected, are formed causes a tight connection to be formed.