PE piping for potable water is a replacement product for steel piping and polyvinyl chloride drinking water pipes.
PVC water supply pipes can withstand certain pressure, usually requiring the use of PE resins with high molecular weight and good mechanical properties, such as HDPE resins. LDPE resins have poor rigidity and poor dimensional stability during molding and processing, and are difficult to connect, making them unsuitable for use as 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 options are available, typically between 0.3-3g/10min.
Compared to traditional piping materials, HDPE pipe systems offer the following range of features:
1. Polyethylene pipe systems are connected using electric heat fusion.
2. Polyethylene has a low-temperature brittleness temperature that is low, allowing for use within 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 allows them to be easily bent, which can be utilized in engineering to maneuver around obstructions 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 properties ensure that HDPE pipes have higher conveying capacity than traditional materials, 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. This requires less labor and equipment, resulting in reduced installation costs for the project.
7. Various Construction Methods: HDPE pipelines offer a range of construction techniques, including traditional excavation methods, as well as trenchless methods like jacking, directional drilling, pipe ramming, and pipe bursting. These are excellent options for locations where excavation is not permitted.
