Polyethylene (PE) piping for potable water is a replacement product for steel pipes and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drinking water pipes.

PVC water supply pipes can withstand certain pressure, usually requiring the use of PE resins with good mechanical properties, such as HDPE resins. LDPE resins have poor rigidity, poor dimensional stability during molding and processing, and are difficult to connect, making them unsuitable for water supply pressure pipes. LDPE, especially LLDPE resins, have become common materials for producing drinking water pipes. LDPE and LLDPE resins have low melt viscosity and good fluidity, making them easy to process, and thus a wide range of melt index choices are available, typically between 0.3-3g/10min.

Compared to traditional piping materials, HDPE pipe systems offer the following range of features:

1. The polyethylene pipe systems are connected using electric heat fusion.

2. Polyethylene has a low-temperature brittleness temperature, making it usable within a temperature range of -60 to 60°C. During winter construction, it is less prone to pipe cracking.

3. HDPE pipes are susceptible to corrosion from various chemical media. Chemical substances present in the soil do not cause degradation to the pipes. Consequently, they are not prone to rotting, rusting, or electrochemical corrosion. Additionally, they are also not conducive to the growth of algae, bacteria, or fungi.