HDPE pipes display good functional properties, toughness, resistance to corrosion,
chemicals and micro-organisms. They can be tailored to different requirements and
installed at low costs. Today mainly unimodal HDPE grades (PE 63 and 80) are being
used allowing wall thicknesses of up to 70mm. Most important area of application
for HDPE pipes is drinking water, followed by sewage, gas supply lines and district
heating. HDPE has also never been as cost efficient as today.
The industry is facing a number of issues which explain the drive towards plastics;
♦ Leakage rates which require overdesigned treatment plants, and water shortages;
♦ Backflow: due to poor fittings connections, a vacuum is pulled on the line which
draws in dirt/contaminants;
♦ Costs: higher consumer bills and repair expense) with the existing technology.
Since HDPE pipes are joined by heat fusion this creates a leak free system. The joint
created is as strong or stronger than the pipe itself. In addition, no bolts, gaskets are
required.
It is estimated that 25% of the water that is cleaned and transported through pipes is
lost at local water plants, due to poor fittings. Iron pipes also are susceptible to fungi
and bacteria, causing decay and negative impact on hydraulic effiency over time.
PE requires no special coatings nor cathodic protection, is more resistant to acids, bases
and salts and is unaffected by bacteria/fungi; thereby providing better long term
hydraulic / hydrostatic stability over time. PE is smoother than steel which provides
excellent flow characteristics thereby offering equivalent flow profiles / velocity with
smaller pipe inner diameter.
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