Abstract: A mould for use in the manufacture of thermoplastics eg PVC pipe by radial expansion of a pipe blank, the mould comprising a cylindrical central portion 10 and two removable mould end portions 11, 12. The pipe blank 14 is located centrally within the mould by mandrels 13 within each mould end portion 11, 12. Water inlet/outlet ports 15, 16 are provided in each mould end portion 11, 12 to admit water to and remove it from the region between the blank 14 and the mould walls, and the mandrels 13 are hollow to permit inlet/outlet of water through the interior of the blank 14.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermoplastics pipe by the radial expansion of a pipe blank within a mould. The blank 28 is inserted horizontally into a raised central mould portion 12, with the ends of the blank 28 extending outwardly of the ends of the central mould portion 12. Portion 12 is then lowered to a first position where mandrels 19, 20 enter the blank 28 from each end, and then a second position where mould end caps 15, 17 are closed onto the central mould portion 12, and heating and expansion of the blank 28 is then effected.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the manufacture of socketed thermoplastics pipe by the radial expansion of a pipe blank. The apparatus includes an open-ended central mould portion 12 which can be raised or lowered on stanchions 10, 11 to three predetermined positions; a pair of mould end portions 15, 17 each having a supporting mandrel 19, 20 engageable with the pipe blank 28, end portions 15, 17 being advanceable to and retractable from the central mould portion 12. One of the mould end portions 15 is internally contoured to provide part of the socket-forming portion of the mould. The mould end portions 15, 17 can be held in an intermediate position, partially advanced towards the central portion 12 to locate the blank 28 on mandrels 19, 20 before closing of the mould.