Heat recoverable article comprising conductive polymer compositions

Abstract

A method of joining, repairing or reinforcing substrates, particularly polymeric pipes for transporting fluids, e.g. natural gas and water. The method makes use of an article, preferably a heat-recoverable article, which comprises a conductive polymer composition and which is heated to its recovery temperature by passing electrical current through the conductive polymer. Preferably the article is a heat-shrinkable coupler. The coupler may make direct contact with and fuse to the pipes, or there may be an insert between the coupler and the pipes. The article preferably comprises carbon blank dispersed in either a sintered polymer, particularly ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or a very high molecular weight polymer, particularly polyethylene having a molecular weight greater than 150,000.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.