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Poly Pipe

Tee Fabrication

Poly pipe tees, Acu-Tech Piping Systems

Australian made custom fabricated poly tees.

For poly pipe systems requiring precise and dependable connections, Acu-Tech Australia specialises in custom poly tees. Our expert fabrication services deliver polyethylene (PE) tees built to your exact specifications, ensuring optimal integration and performance within your unique poly pipe network.

Poly tees are used to branch off a pipeline. They are also called pull tees, spigot tees, moulded tees, welded tees, CNC fabricated tees, equal tees, and reducing tees. Acu-Tech is a specialist in making poly tees. We keep the main sizes of PE tees in stock. We can also make tees to meet your needs.

What are the different types of tees?

There are several types of tees used in piping. Here are the main ones:

  • Forge tees: Made by forging metal.
  • Spigot tees : Have a spigot end for easy connection.
  • Moulded tees: Created by molding materials.
  • Welded tees: Made by welding parts together.
  • CNC Fabricated tees: Produced using CNC machines for precision.
  • Equal tees: Have the same diameter on all ends.
  • Reducing tees: Have different diameters on the ends.

Each type serves a specific purpose in piping systems.

Read more below.

If your project needs special fittings beyond standard options, check out Acu-Tech’s custom poly tees. They offer seamless and strong poly pipe solutions.

The different types of poly pipe tees are:

Forge-Tees – Pull Tees

Forge tees, pull tees, reducing tees, and necking tees are made by drilling a hole in a piece of poly pipe. A die is then pulled through to create an opening. This opening can be welded to a smaller piece of poly pipe. Forge tees are also called pull tees or reducing tees. The off-take is always smaller than the main pipe. This type of tee is used when a smaller pipeline connects to a larger one. The photo above shows two reducing forge tees with routered edges, made by Acu-Tech from PE pipe. Pull tees are technically known as ‘pull out reducing tee fittings’ or ‘necking tee’s’. Note that pressure de-rating factors apply on pulled tees – see below for more information.

Spigot Tees or Moulded Tees

A spigot tee is often a molded fitting. It can have bends, stubs, or extra pipe welded to the ends. This forms a tee that can be welded or bolted to an existing pipeline. A spigot tee can be an equal tee or a reducing tee. This depends on the type of fitting used. You can have either a spigot equal tee or a spigot reducing tee. The photo above shows a reducing spigot tee. It has stubs welded on the ends and backing rings. This allows the tee to be bolted to a pipeline.

Welded Tees, Segmented Tees, Mitred Tees or CNC-Fabricated Tees

CNC fabricated tees or welded tees, are welded and cut, to form a tee shape. Fabricated tees are always equal tees, as the pipe used for the offtake is the same size as the original pipeline. Welded tees are manufactured from PE pipe, which is cut and butt welded to the specified dimensions. The photo above shows a fabricated tee made from Acu-Therm co-ex white PE pipe. Welded tees are also known as mitred tees, segmented tees or fabricated equal tees. Note that pressure de-rating factors apply on weld tees.

Extrusion Welded Tees or Custom Made Poly Tees

Extrusion welded tees or custom made poly tees, are cut from PE pipe, and extrusion welded to form a tee shape. Extrusion welded tees are usually reducing tees, but can also be made as equal tees. The photo above shows extrusion welded tees made from Acu-Black PE pressure pipe. Note that pressure de-rating factors apply on extrusion weld tees.

HDPE Tee De-rating Information:

Information about de-rating for poly tees can be found in the PIPA Document. The document is titled “PE Fabricated Fittings For Pressure Applications: De-rating Requirements.”

For segmented tees made from pipe segments that meet AS/NZS 4130, the following de-rating rules apply for calculating the PN:

[PN] = fT x [PN] pipe

Here, fT is the de-rating factor for these tees, which has a value of 0.5.

[PN] pipe is the nominal pressure of the pipe, taken as a value.

Test results of the manufacturer may demonstrate that a de-rating factor > 0.5 may be applicable. Results of testing in accordance to ISO 4427-3 Table B.1, shall determine the applicable de-rating factor fT.

For pull-out tees, use these de-rating rules to calculate the PN:

[PN] = fT x [PN] pipe.

Here, fT is the de-rating factor for these tees, which is 0.5 (see note below).

[PN] pipe is the nominal pressure of the pipe, taken as a value.

Note: No direct published reference could be found in relation to accepted de-rating factors for pull out tees. In the absence of published de-rating factors the value of 0.5 was carried over from that applied to segmented tees. The minimum wall thickness of the fitting, shall comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 4130, for the rated nominal pressure of the pipeline. The end of the tee branch outlet spigot must be straight. It should be long enough for mechanical coupling, butt welding, or electrofusion jointing. Saddle tees: This fitting is made by using electrofusion welding. An injection molded or machined PE saddle fitting is attached to a PE pipe segment. Outlet branches come in both equal and reduced sizes. This follows the size rules of AS/NZS 4130. Branch saddle tees are available for pipe main sizes to DN2000, with outlets to DN500. This type of saddle tee is operated at the pressure rated SDR class for the pipe without the need for de-rating.   

Poly Tee sizes available from Acu-Tech Piping Systems:

  • 20 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 25 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 32 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 40 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 50 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 63 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 75 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 90 mm HDPE Tee – Moulded Tee.
  • 110 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee/ Moulded Tee.
  • 125 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee/ Moulded Tee.
  • 140 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee/ Moulded Tee.
  • 160 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee/ Moulded Tee.
  • 180 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee/ Moulded Tee.
  • 200 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 125 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 160 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 200 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 250 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 315 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 355 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 400 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 450 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 500 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 560 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.
  • 630 mm HDPE Tee – Fabricated Tee / Moulded Tee / Forge Tee.

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