Technical HDPE

The applications of High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) piping systems are varied; used for the Gas,
Water, Drainage and Sewage Industries.
HDPE is the most chemically inert of all commodity plastic raw materials and is therefore extremely
chemical and corrosion resistant. Aggressive water resulting from high sulphate soils and low hardness
water will not attack PE pipes. Our pipes are therefore resistant to a wide range of industrial waters and
chemicals and offer an advantage in long-term systems life and manufacture costs. For more information
on the resistance of uPVC for specific chemical(s), do not hesitate to let Interplast know. We inform you of
the suitable pipe solution necessary.
Due to its non-metallic nature, the material used is totally resistant to all forms of metallic corrosion. Being
made of a tasteless and odorless material, HDPE pipes remain neutral to all transported fluids. HDPE is
completely inert and is widely used for transporting liquids made for human consumption. Because of
their mirror-smooth inside surface, HDPE pipes have minimum flow head loss. There is also no buildup of
inside deposits, a particular advantage in the construction of sewerage systems.
This gives HDPE pipes a significant long-term strength advantage over concrete and metal pipes.
Polyethylene pipes have demonstrated, through testing and actual usage, that they meet and even
exceed life service requirements for both pressure and drainage applications. A service life of 70+ years
is projected where HDPE is specified. For years, engineers all over the world have specified HDPE pipes
in chemically active acidic or alkaline site conditions.
Interplasts modern production facility, located in Accra, is equipped with the most technically advanced
extrusion machinery available today and has the capacity to supply complete HDPE pipelines at short
notice for either new projects or for additions and replacements of existing lines. We carry out routine
testing of all our pipes, as laid down in DIN and EN Standards under the supervision of the Ghana
Standards Board. These quality tests are undertaken in our fully equipped and modern laboratory
ensuring that Interplast pipelines conform to the highest quality attainable in the world today.
We are confident that Interplast HDPE pipes meet the stringent requirements of both our local and
international clients.
The comparative figures indicated below, show that old HDPE pipes in water systems continue to have a
very low coefficient of resistance n.
HDPE
Ductile Iron
Cast Iron
Steel

n New Pipe
0.008
0.012
0.013
1.012

n Old Pipe
0.008
0.014
0.015
0.013

HDPE pipes in water systems continue to have a very low coefficient of resistance n. According to the
Manning equation, friction head loss is dependent on n2. The actual difference in head loss, for which the
total pumping head must be increased, is therefore as follows:
HDPE
Ductile Iron
Cast Iron
Steel

New Pipe
n= 6.4 x 10-5
n= 14.4 x 10-5
n= 16.9 x 10-5
n= 14.4 x 10-5

Pipe in Service
n= 6.4 x 10-5
n= 19.6 x 10-5
n= 22.5 x 10-5
n= 16.9 x 10-5

The above figures demonstrate that in comparison to Ductile Iron, when the same quantity of water is
pumped through a pipe of the same inside diameter, the increase in the Head loss by friction for HDPE is
2 times less in new pipelines, and 3 times less in old pipeline systems.

HDPE pipes weigh comparatively less than Ductile Iron pipes of the same ID and pressure rating.
Consequently, the transportation, manipulation and installation of the HDPE pipes are considerably
cheaper and simpler than that of the Ductile Iron and Steel pipes.

Typical Properties of HDPE
PE pipe dimensions
The pipe industry maintains two different ways to refer to the dimension of a pipe. One is the Nominal
Dimension of the DN size. This is commonly used for steel and iron pipes.
The plastic industry commonly uses the Outside Diameter or OD size.

Diameter
Nominal

Nominal
Pipe
Size

Outside
Diameter

Diameter
Nominal

Nominal
Pipe
Size

Outside
Diameter

DN

NPS

OD

DN

NPS

OD

(mm)

(inches)

(mm)

(mm)

(inches)

(mm)

1/8

10

250

10

250

1/4

12

250

10

3/8

16

300

12

315

15

1/2

20

350

14

355

20

3/4

25

400

16

400

25

32

450

18

450

32

1 1/4

40

500

20

500

40

1 1/2

50

500

50

63

600

24

630

65

2 1/2

75

700

28

710

80

90

800

32

800

100

110

900

36

900

1000

40

1000

1100

44

1200

1200

48

1200

1400

56

1400

1600

64

1600

2000

80

2000

125

125

125

140

150

150
200
200

160
180

DIN
GAS

200
225

DIN

280

560

DIN

DIN
DIN

DIN= German Industrial Norm

GAS= Diameter uses in Gas distribution network
General Properties of HDPE (PE80 and PE100)
Unit
Density
Elongation at break
Heat conductivity
Surface resistance
Linear expansion coefficient

g/cm
%
W/mk

mm/mk

PE80 Typical
Value
>0.93
>800
0.43
1013
0.20

PE100 Typical
Value
>0.95
>600
0.38
>1014
.013

Bend creep module

Yield stress

N/mm
N/mm

800
22

840
25

Pressure Ratings of Polyethylene (PE) Pipes

Polyethylene is classified into several different categories based mostly on its density and branching:
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Ultra low molecular weight polyethylene (ULMWPE or PE-WAX)
High molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE)
High density polyethylene (HDPE)
High density cross-linked polyethylene (HDXLPE)
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX or XLPE)
Medium density polyethylene (MDPE)
Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)
The most common materials used in the production of pipes are:
Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) with a strength classification, PE80, which refers to a pipe which
has a minimum 50 year strength of 8MPa. This enables operation at pressures up to 12bar.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with a strength classification, PE100, which refers to a pipe which has
a minimum 50 year strength of 10MPa. This enables operation at pressures up to 16 bar.
The differences in the naming of the raw material has come through the raw material suppliers over the
past years as the differentiation between the PE materials developed.
Old Name
LDPE
MDPE
HDPE

New Name
PE40
PE80
nd
rd
PE63, PE80 2 generation & PE100 3 generation

The minimum safety coefficient of PE100 is determined as follows:

PE Water applications: Safety factor is 1,25 x nominal pressure
PE Gas applications: Safety factor is 2,0 x nominal pressure
Applicable Standards
Interplast produces HDPE pipes according to the specifications requested by the client. Our product
portfolio consists of pipes made according to the following standards:
Water: DIN8074-75
ISO4427
EN12201-2
Gas:

ISO4437
EN1555-2

Cutting
Pipe should be cut square. A simple method of cutting pipes square is to wrap newspaper or similar sheet
paper around the pipe with no overlap of the edges. Mark line around pipe (felt pen is ideal). Cut to line
with a fine toothed saw.
[PIC: UPVC Pipe cutting 1.jpg]
Jointing
PE pies can be joint in two ways, Mechanical or welded.
Mechanical joints are compression couplers or steel couplers (various types and suppliers)
Both are available at Interplast upon request.
In order to joint two pipe ends, two methods can be used, Electro-fusion and Butt-welding.
For electro-fusion jointing, separate couplers need to be purchased.
With the butt-welding method the pipe ends are heated and fused together. The joint that forms is
stronger than the original pipe and maintains the same strength and physical properties throughout its life
cycle.
Storage
Storage areas for pipes should be clean. Point loading (by gravels and/or rocks) should be avoided at all
times. The recommendation for the permitted stacking height for PE pipes not stored on pallets is 1 m.
Pipes should be stacked in layers. The area where pipe is stored should provide as much protection as
possible. Pipes should be completely protected from the effects of oil, solvents and other chemical
substances during the storage period.
The influence of weather on stored pipes should be kept to a minimum. If the pipes are stored in the open
(construction sites), then they should be covered with black sheeting to protect them from the influence of
weather (for example, UV rays). Moreover, one-sided heat exposure caused by sunshine can lead to
deformations in the pipes. Maximum permitted storage periods should be adhered to (for example,
DVGW) Please refer to Interplast for periods permitted for you pipe order.
Transport
Vehicles for transporting pipes should be selected in such a way that the pipes lie completely flat on the
floor of the vehicle. Sagging is to be prevented. Impacts are to be avoided. To protect the pipes from
damage, please check the loading area for metals and rocks before loading. Pipes should be loaded and
unloaded with extreme caution and care.