How to identify the advantages and disadvantages of PE pipes
What is polyethylene pipe?
Polyethylene pipe (PE pipe) is a pipe made of polyethylene material. It has the advantages of corrosion resistance, strong flexibility, lightweight, and easy installation. It is widely used in construction, agriculture, industry, and other fields.
PE pipes are mainly divided into two types: high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) and polyethylene pipe (PE). Both types of pipes are commonly used in pipeline engineering. But there are also some differences between them.
What are the differences between HDPE and PE?
Molecular weight: The molecular weight of HDPE is significantly higher than that of ordinary PE, usually between 20000-30000, while the molecular weight of ordinary PE is between 1000-15000.
Density: The density of HDPE is higher, generally between 0.94-0.96g/cm³, while the density of ordinary PE is between 0.91-0.92g/cm³.
Strength and wear resistance: The strength and wear resistance of HDPE is significantly better than ordinary PE, and it can withstand higher pressure and wear.
These differences also make their application ranges different.
HDPE pipe application range
1. Chemical industry: HDPE pipes are corrosion-resistant, pressure-resistant, and heat-resistant. In the chemical industry, HDPE pipes are widely used in the transportation of chemicals, solvents, paints, etc., and can provide safe and reliable solutions.
2. Power industry: HDPE pipes are also often used in cable protection pipes. It can provide effective insulation protection and ensure the stability and reliability of power transmission.
3. Pharmaceutical industry: Due to the corrosion resistance of HDPE pipes to drugs, HDPE pipes are widely used in material transportation in pharmaceutical processes. It can ensure the quality and safety of drugs while improving production efficiency.
4. Old pipeline repair: HDPE pipes can be used for the repair of old pipelines, including gas, tap water, natural gas, etc.
Water treatment engineering pipeline system: HDPE pipes are also a commonly used material in various water treatment projects.
Polyethylene pipe application field
1. Water supply and drainage pipelines: Polyethylene tubing is widely used in building water supply and drainage systems, rural drinking water projects, industrial water, and other fields. Its water pipelines have long-term pressure resistance and can meet high-standard water quality transportation requirements.
2. Gas pipeline: PE pipe can be used for gas pipelines in urban gas, industrial gas, and other fields. It has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, wear resistance, high-temperature resistance, low-temperature resistance, etc., providing a safe and reliable solution for gas transportation.
3. Communication cable protection pipeline: Polyethylene pipe can be used for communication cable protection pipelines in telecommunications, radio and television, electricity, and other fields. It can provide effective insulation protection and ensure the stability and reliability of communication signal transmission.
4. Agricultural irrigation pipeline: Polyethylene tubing can be used for water pipelines in agricultural irrigation, drainage, and other fields. Its corrosion resistance and wear resistance are very suitable for use in agricultural environments.
Advantages and disadvantages of PE pipe
Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of polyethylene pipe (PE pipes) involves evaluating their characteristics, performance, and suitability for various applications. Here’s how you can assess the pros and cons of PE pipes:
Advantages of PE Pipes:
- Corrosion Resistance:
- PE pipes are highly resistant to corrosion from chemicals, acids, and alkalis, ensuring durability and a longer service life.
- Chemical Resistance:
- PE pipes can handle a wide range of chemicals and corrosive substances without degradation, making them suitable for various applications.
- Lightweight and Easy Handling:
- PE pipes are lightweight and easy to transport, handle, and install, reducing labor and equipment requirements.
- Flexibility and Toughness:
- PE pipes are flexible, allowing them to withstand ground movement and settlement without cracking. Their toughness makes them durable in demanding environments.
- Smooth Interior Surface:
- PE pipes have a smooth interior surface that minimizes friction, promoting efficient fluid flow and reducing the likelihood of blockages.
- Low Maintenance Requirements:
- Due to their corrosion and chemical resistance, PE pipes require minimal maintenance over their service life, reducing maintenance costs.
- Long Service Life:
- Properly installed and maintained PE pipes can have a service life exceeding 50 years, providing long-term reliability.
- Fast Installation:
- PE pipes can be joined using heat fusion methods, allowing for quick and secure connections without additional materials.
- Environmentally Friendly:
- PE pipes are recyclable, contributing to sustainable construction practices and minimizing environmental impact.
Disadvantages of PE Pipes:
- Temperature Limitations:
- PE pipes have temperature limitations, especially at higher temperatures, which can affect their pressure ratings and application suitability.
- UV Degradation:
- PE pipes are sensitive to prolonged exposure to UV radiation, which can lead to material degradation over time.
- Fusion Equipment:
- Specialized fusion equipment is required for joining PE pipes, which might add to project costs if not already available.
- Expansion and Contraction:
- PE pipes can expand and contract with temperature changes, potentially leading to issues in buried or constrained installations.
- Fitting Compatibility:
- Compatibility between PE pipes and fittings from different manufacturers might vary, requiring careful selection of compatible components.
- Pressure Rating Variation:
- Different PE pipe grades can have varying pressure ratings, requiring accurate selection based on application requirements.
- Slow Crack Growth:
- PE pipes are susceptible to slow crack growth over time under certain conditions, particularly in aggressive environments.
- Special Handling for Larger Diameters:
- Large-diameter PE pipes require specialized handling and lifting equipment due to their size and weight.
To effectively identify the advantages and disadvantages of PE pipes, consider your specific project requirements, intended applications, budget, and environmental conditions. Consulting with professionals and referring to industry standards can provide valuable insights for making informed decisions about the suitability of PE pipes for your particular needs.
Product Specification
| Nominal Pressure PE 100 |
SDR 7.4 | SDR 9 | SDR 11 | SDR 13.6 | SDR 17 | SDR 21 | SDR 26 | SDR 33 |
| PN 25 | PN 20 | PN 16 | PN 12.5 | PN 10 | PN 8 | PN 6 | PN 5 | |
| Nominal Size DN (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) | Min Wall (mm) |
| 20 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 25 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 2.0 | – | – | – | – |
| 32 | 4.4 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 2.0 | – | – | – |
| 40 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 2.0 | – | – |
| 50 | 6.9 | 5.6 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.4 | 2.0 | – |
| 63 | 8.6 | 7.1 | 5.8 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.5 | – |
| 75 | 10.3 | 8.4 | 6.8 | 5.6 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 2.9 | – |
| 90 | 12.3 | 10.1 | 8.2 | 6.7 | 5.4 | 4.3 | 3.5 | – |
| 110 | 15.1 | 12.3 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 6.6 | 5.3 | 4.2 | – |
| 125 | 17.1 | 14.0 | 11.4 | 9.2 | 7.4 | 6.0 | 4.8 | – |
| 140 | 19.2 | 15.7 | 12.7 | 10.3 | 8.3 | 6.7 | 5.4 | – |
| 160 | 21.9 | 17.9 | 14.6 | 11.8 | 9.5 | 7.7 | 6.2 | – |
| 180 | 24.6 | 20.1 | 16.4 | 13.3 | 10.7 | 8.6 | 6.9 | – |
| 200 | 27.4 | 22.4 | 18.2 | 14.7 | 11.9 | 9.6 | 7.7 | – |
| 225 | 30.8 | 25.2 | 20.5 | 16.6 | 13.4 | 10.8 | 8.6 | – |
| 250 | 34.2 | 27.9 | 22.7 | 18.4 | 14.8 | 11.9 | 9.6 | – |
| 280 | 38.3 | 31.3 | 25.4 | 20.6 | 16.6 | 13.4 | 10.7 | – |
| 315 | 43.1 | 35.2 | 28.6 | 23.2 | 18.7 | 15.0 | 12.1 | 9.7 |
| 355 | 48.5 | 39.7 | 32.2 | 26.1 | 21.1 | 16.9 | 13.6 | 10.9 |
| 400 | 54.7 | 44.7 | 36.3 | 29.4 | 23.7 | 19.1 | 15.3 | 12.3 |
| 450 | 61.5 | 50.3 | 40.9 | 33.1 | 26.7 | 21.5 | 17.2 | 13.8 |
| 500 | – | 55.8 | 45.4 | 36.8 | 29.7 | 23.9 | 19.1 | 15.3 |
| 560 | – | 62.5 | 50.8 | 41.2 | 33.2 | 26.7 | 21.4 | 17.2 |
| 630 | – | 70.3 | 57.2 | 46.3 | 37.4 | 30.0 | 24.1 | 19.3 |
| 710 | – | 79.3 | 64.5 | 52.2 | 42.1 | 33.9 | 27.2 | 21.8 |
| 800 | – | 89.3 | 72.6 | 58.8 | 47.4 | 38.1 | 30.6 | 24.5 |
| 900 | – | – | 81.7 | 66.1 | 53.3 | 42.9 | 34.4 | 27.6 |
| 1000 | – | – | 90.2 | 73.5 | 59.3 | 47.7 | 38.2 | 30.6 |
| 1200 | – | – | – | 88.2 | 71.1 | 57.2 | 45.9 | 36.7 |
| 1400 | – | – | – | 102.9 | 83.0 | 66.7 | 53.5 | 42.9 |
| 1600 | – | – | – | 117.5 | 94.8 | 76.2 | 61.2 | 49.0 |
| 1800 | – | – | – | – | 106.6 | 85.8 | 68.8 | 55.1 |
| 2000 | – | – | – | – | 118.5 | 95.3 | 76.4 | 61.2 |
