Hot Air Plastic Welding

Chemwest utilizes hot air welding of thermoplastics to construct our plastic process equipment. Thermoplastic materials that must be either mechanically attached or hot air welded include:

• Polyfluoroethylene (PFA) Teflon  
• Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

Why Choose Chemwest for Hot Air Welding of Thermoplastics?

Expertise in Hot Air Welding:

• Chemwest utilizes hot air welding to fuse thermoplastic materials, ensuring a strong, leak-proof bond. This method is ideal for creating durable joints that withstand harsh chemical environments and high-temperature processes.

Wide Range of Materials:

• We work with various thermoplastic materials that are ideal for different applications. Our expertise allows us to fabricate components from materials such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), and Polyfluoroethylene (PFA) Teflon, ensuring compatibility with your specific requirements.

Tailored Fabrication:

• Each piece of equipment is fabricated to your exact specifications. Chemwest’s custom fabrication services ensure that all components, whether a plastic tank, a chemical valve box, or any other process equipment, meet your operational needs.

Chemical and Corrosion Resistance:

• Hot air welding is beneficial for bonding plastics that need to resist aggressive chemicals, heat, and wear. Our advanced welding methods can create systems resistant to corrosion and damage from chemicals commonly used in industrial processes.

Materials We Work With

Chemwest uses a variety of thermoplastics for hot air welding, each selected for its unique properties that make it suitable for specific applications. These materials include:

Polypropylene (PP):

• Polypropylene is widely known for its excellent chemical resistance, making it an ideal choice for handling aggressive chemicals. Its durability and resistance to corrosion make it perfect for chemical tanks, chemical delivery systems, and other process equipment exposed to harsh environments.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):

• PVC is a versatile material resistant to many chemicals, acids, and bases. Its strength and ability to be easily welded make it ideal for constructing tanks, pipes, and troughs that must withstand corrosive materials and long-term use.

Polyethylene (PE):

• Polyethylene is another material we frequently use for fabrication. It is known for its Resilience and low friction properties. PE is highly resistant to most acids and alkalis, making it suitable for waste collection tanks, corrosive process baths, and chemical delivery units.

Polyfluoroethylene (PFA) Teflon:

• Teflon is a high-performance plastic known for its exceptional resistance to heat and chemical attack. It is ideal for applications where equipment will be exposed to extreme temperatures or aggressive chemicals. PFA is often used in chemical reactors, fluid-handling systems, and process equipment in the pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacturing industries.

Applications of Hot Air Welded Plastic Process Equipment

Chemwest’s expertise in hot air welding allows us to fabricate a wide variety of plastic process equipment suitable for industries that demand chemical resistance and durability:

Plastic Tanks and Vessels:

• We manufacture custom plastic tanks for chemical storage, waste collection, and process containment. These tanks can be used where chemicals are stored or handled, providing safety and reliability.

Chemical Delivery Systems:

• Our plastic chemical delivery systems are constructed using the best thermoplastic materials, ensuring the system can deliver chemicals safely and efficiently without leakage or corrosion.

Piping and Tubing:

• We fabricate plastic piping and tubing systems for fluid and gas handling using high-purity fabrication processes, including Socket Fusion, Butt Fusion, and Flared Connections. Whether for high-purity chemicals or industrial liquids, our welded piping ensures smooth, leak-free performance.

Corrosive Process Equipment:

• Our hot air welding process allows us to create high-performance equipment like chemical valve boxes, acid waste collection systems, and process baths that can handle corrosive chemicals and maintain structural integrity over time.

Custom Components:

• Chemwest offers tailored solutions for all your process equipment needs, including custom plastic fittings, drainage systems, and scrubber units. These are all fabricated with hot air welding to ensure high quality and durability.

How Our Hot Air Welding Process Works

1. Material Selection:
Chemwest builds products according to the customer’s provided design and specifications, or collaborates with the customer’s engineering team to create a design.  In both cases, the customer will approve the production design and material before production. Our team brings our experience to the table in this process to choose the appropriate material specific to your application. Chemical resistance, temperature tolerance, and mechanical properties will guide our selection of materials, such as polypropylene (PP), PVC, Polyethylene (PE), PVDF, or other alternatives.

2. Preparation and Cutting:
The thermoplastic materials are carefully cut using state-of-the-art CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled Machines) to meet exacting design specifications. Chemwest ensures precision in this step, guaranteeing that each part is fabricated per your approved design.

3. Hot Air Welding:
Hot Air Welding is used to join the materials. This process involves heating plastic rod material with a focused stream of hot air, softening the material, and then applying a uniform bead of the heated rod to fuse the parts. This technique creates a robust and seamless bond that is resistant to leaks and stress.

4. Quality Control:
Hot air welding is a technical skill and is considered an art by some. Chemwest requires certified competency of all welders. Chemwest also operates under an ISO 9001 Quality Certification, and by nature, employs a system of quality controls to ensure that competent specialists complete each component and that the finished product is evaluated for integrity, is defect-free, and meets our high-quality standards.

5. Final Assembly and Integration:
Once all components are welded, Chemwest assembles the finished equipment. Depending on the project’s size, a factory acceptance test and customer review may be arranged before shipment.  The custom plastic tanks, process equipment, or delivery systems are then prepared for shipment to your facility.

6. Post Shipment Support:
Chemwest guarantees your satisfaction. If appropriate and requested, we can provide advisory support and training at your site. We will be available and responsive throughout the life of your product should you have questions or issues.

Industries We Serve

Chemwest’s hot air welded plastic process equipment is used across a range of industries where chemical resistance and durability are crucial:

• Laboratories and Research Facilities
• Food and Beverage Processing
• Industrial Manufacturing

Get Started with Chemwest Plastic Fabrication

If you need custom plastic process equipment, tanks, or chemical delivery systems built with hot air welding, Chemwest has the expertise and experience to deliver high-quality, durable solutions. Our team is ready to work with you to create tailored equipment that meets your specifications.

Contact us today to discuss your project, request a quote, or schedule a consultation with one of our fabrication experts.