Polyethylene (PE) piping for potable water is a replacement product for steel piping and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drinking water pipes.
PE piping can withstand certain pressure, usually requiring the use of high molecular weight 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, thus offering a wide range of melt index options, typically between 0.3-3g/10min.
Compared to traditional piping materials, HDPE pipe systems possess the following range of characteristics:
The polyethylene pipe systems are connected using electrical heat fusion.
2. Low-temperature brittleness temperature of polyethylene is low, allowing for use in a temperature range of -60 to 60℃. During winter construction, it is less prone to pipe cracking.
3. HDPE pipes are resistant to corrosion from a variety of chemicals, and the chemicals present in the soil do not cause degradation to the pipes. Therefore, they are not prone to rotting, rusting, or electrochemical corrosion. Additionally, they are also not conducive to the growth of algae, bacteria, or fungi.
4. Excellent Flexibility: The flexibility of HDPE pipes makes them easy to bend, allowing for maneuvering around obstacles by altering the pipe's direction. In many cases, this flexibility can reduce the need for fittings and lower installation costs.
5. Low Flow Resistance: HDPE pipes feature a smooth inner surface with a Manning coefficient of 0.009. The smoothness and non-adhesive characteristics ensure that HDPE pipes have higher conveying capacity than traditional pipes, while also reducing pressure loss in the pipeline and water conveyance energy consumption.
6. Easy to Handle: HDPE pipes are lighter than concrete pipes, galvanized pipes, and steel pipes, making them easy to transport and install. They require minimal labor and equipment, which means reduced installation costs for projects.
7. Various Construction Methods: HDPE pipes offer a range of construction techniques, including conventional excavation, as well as non-excavation methods such as jacking, directional drilling, lining, and bursting. This is an excellent choice for locations where excavation is not permitted.
