Joining composite pipes using hybrid prepreg welding and adhesive bonding

A critical technology for composite piping systems in offshore platforms is the joining technique. This paper discusses the development of a hybrid joining approach by using heat-activated prepreg welding and adhesive bonding. The joining procedure was demonstrated via specimens' fabrication. Four adhesives, with varying mechanical properties, were used to seal the gap between the two pipes. A glass fiber reinforced prepreg was used to wrap the pipes. A total of forty-five specimens were prepared and evaluated using standardized internal pressure tests. A finite element analysis was conducted to aid in the understanding of the mechanisms of the hybrid joining method. Recommendations for further studies were made based on the test and finite element analysis results.