1 Nov 2021
HDPE Pipes : The Complete Guide
If you look around, you’ll realize that many things have HDPE in them - milk containers, motor oil, shampoo and conditioner bottles, chemical containers, pipe systems, even toys.
HDPE is one of the most common materials used in homes, the fishing industry, the agricultural industry, the packaging industry, and the chemical products industry. It is a Type 2 plastic, which is one of the safest sorts of plastic out there.
HDPE has dominated the local market since the 1960s, especially in Telekom (as PN10 pipes) and in the construction industry, with a steady 4% annual growth. Through the initiation of large-scale infrastructure projects across the country, the use of HDPE pipes in Malaysia is expected to grow over the coming years.
Today, we shall dive deep specifically into the world of HDPE pipes. Let’s go!
Table of Contents
What Are HDPE Pipes?
HDPE is short for High-Density Polyethylene, a synthetic polymer derived from petroleum.
According to Wikipedia, because of its flexibility and durability, HDPE pipe is commonly used for fluid and gas transfer, or to replace aging concrete and steel pipelines. Compared to other piping solutions, HDPE pipes are much more cost-effective and you can apply them almost anywhere - surface, underground, as well as floating. These are the main reasons why HDPE pipes are the best choice for high-pressure pipelines.
Now, you may be wondering about the benefits of HDPE, how do you apply them in your respective field of work, the types and grades available, and also the ways to distinguish them. These topics will be coming up next so be sure you keep on reading!
The Many Benefits Of HDPE Pipes
Known for its high level of impermeability and strength, HDPE pipes enjoy an average life span of more than 50 years! With the rising awareness of environmental concerns, HDPE pipes are gaining popularity for their eco-friendly features. For they will not emit harmful fumes into the environment, and they are recyclable at the end of their life span.
Tough & Durable
Be it dynamic or static loads, HDPE pipes can bear high impacts. They will not crack or break easily under rough and freezing conditions.
Highly Flexible
This made bending and shaping HDPE pipes much easier without damaging them.
Corrosion & Chemical Resistant
HDPE pipes are resistant to electrolytic and galvanic corrosion. They are passive towards harsh chemicals, which makes them ideal for handling corrosive acids and alkalis.
Lightweight
HDPE pipes are several times lighter than conventional pipes. This ensures easy portability, saving you costs and hassles on transportation and installation.
Eco-Friendly
Being inert and non-toxic, you won’t have to stress about pollution or contamination coming from HDPE pipes.
Long Life
Although HDPE pipe is often estimated to last 50 years, they are in fact more likely to have life expectancies of 100 years under normal working pressure and temperature.
Applications
Now we’ve understood the strengths of HDPE pipes, let’s look at how they prove themselves useful in different applications across multiple industries.
Underground Piping
The powerful HDPE pipes come in handy in the sanitary industry, making waste treatments free from leakages. Two common methods for installing HDPE pipe underground includes trench installation and the horizontal directional drilling method.
FTTx
With its cost-effectiveness and space-saving features, HDPE pipes and ducts are intensively used in the telecom industry – mainly for the construction of underground duct systems for fibre optic and copper cables.
Agriculture and Irrigation
Being 6 to 8 times lighter than galvanized iron (GI) and cast iron (CI) pipes, HDPE pipes are better choices when it comes to transporting running and potable water in a free flow manner. This enables quick irrigation, saving farmers plenty of time and resources.
Domestic Water Supply
Nobody wants contaminated water in their drinks. HDPE pipes ensure corrosion and leakage-free water supply in a housing society.
The Specs, Classification, & Grades
Typically, HDPE pipes are either classified according to their nominal pressure such as PN 2.5, PN 4, PN 16, etc. or by the material used such as PE 100, PE 80, PE 32, etc.
We’ll be looking into two of the most commonly used HDPE pipes, namely PE80 and PE100.
PE 80
Generally used for simple, less aggressive gas, water, and industrial applications. It can be readily applied in double containment pipe systems and is ideal for wastewater applications.
PE 100
Offers additional long-term strength and performance as compared to PE 80. PE 100 uses less polymer and provides for a larger bore and increased flow capacity. It has a significant advantage over PE 80 at low temperatures since it is extremely crack resistant down to -30°C.
| Property | PE 80 | PE 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 950 kg/mᶟ | 960 kg/mᶟ |
| Tensile Yield Strength | 20 MPa | 23 MPa |
| Elongation at Yield | 10% | 8% |
| Tensile Modulus – short term | 700 MPa | 950 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus – long term | 200 MPa | 260 MPa |
| Hardness Shore D | 59 | 64 |
| Notched Impact Strength (23°C) | 35 kJ/m² | 26 kJ/m² |
| Melt Flow Rate 190/5 | 0.7-1.0 g/10 min | 0.3-0.5 g/10 min |
| Thermal Expansion | 2.4 x 10-4/°C | 2.4 x 10-4/°C |
| Thermal Conductivity (20°C) | 0.43 W/m.k | 0.4 W/m.k |
| Crystalline Melting Point | 125°C | 132°C |
| Dielectric Strength | 70 kV/mm | 53 kV/mm |
| Surface Resistivity | 1015 Ohm | 1015 Ohm |
| Poisson Ratio | 0.4 μ | 0.4 μ |
Some of The HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) & Poly Pipes Available In Malaysia's Market
Bina Plastic Industries Sdn. Bhd. and HANSEN are two well-known HDPE pipe suppliers in Malaysia.
Bina Plastic Industries Sdn. Bhd
Their BBB™ and KKK™ series HDPE pipes are licensed by SIRIM and approved by the local water authorities to be used as the top mark for quality. Their HDPE pipes are used in a broad cross-section of markets such as water supply, wastewater and stormwater drainage, irrigation, electrical, and telecommunication.
HANSEN
HANSEN’s Nylon 6 HDPE sleek fitting is slim enough to be buried in walls and are able to withstand very high pressures without the need for compression rings, crimping, and solvent cement.
Conclusion
HDPE pipes have been a leading choice for pipelines due to their versatility, cost-efficiency, durability, and high performance. We hope this article is able to provide you with a clear understanding of how HDPE pipes work.
To find out the best piping solutions for your projects, always consult an experienced HDPE and poly pipe supplier for professional advice.
For more tips and guides on different hardware, be sure to visit our blog again in the future.
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