Why is HDPE Pipe Better?

HDPE pipe is a type of plastic pipe that&#;s used to transfer fluids and gases. HDPE pipe (which stands for high-density polyethylene pipe) comes with many benefits: it is resistant to corrosion, flexible, has a long service life, comes with leak-free joints, is highly adaptable, includes trenchless installation, can be used for pipeline rehabilitation, and is eco-friendly.

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HDPE Pipe is Resistant to Corrosion

Unlike metal piping systems that corrode over time, HDPE pipe does not rot, rust or corrode. It is resistant to chemicals and biological growth, meaning the pipe has a long service life and saves money in the long term on repairs and replacement. With the use of HDPE pipe, water does not need to be treated to help slow the rust and pitting that is inevitable with metal pipes.

HDPE Pipe is Flexible

HDPE is flexible, ductile and has excellent resistance to fatigue. Unlike other plastic pipes, HDPE pipe is pressure rated to handle water distribution surge events.

HDPE Pipe Has a Long Service Life

HDPE pipe was once said to last 50 years, but in fact, the accurate life expectancy for the pipe can stretch up to 100 years, depending on the application, design and installation.

HDPE Pipe Has Leak-Free Joints

HDPE pipe can be joined by butt welding, electrofusion welding, socket welding or extrusion welding. These welds create a homogenous joint that is at least as strong as (if not stronger than) the existing pipe, with no need to use rubber seals or jointing chemicals (such as is needed with PVC pipe). As a result, HDPE pipe is more environmentally friendly, has a longer
lifespan, and is less likely to be affected by root intrusion.

HDPE Pipe Can Include Fusion Joints

In addition to the above, HDPE systems can be joined with heat fusion welds. This type of weld involves heating two HDPE surfaces and then combining them to form a permanent leak-free system. Unlike the fusion process for other plastic pipes, HDPE fusion welds has been used by the natural gas industry for over 40 years and is known to be a proven method. Fusing HDPE pipe does not require high levels of training and can be accomplished by many personnel.

HDPE Pipe Includes Trenchless Installation

Traditionally, piping systems must be installed by digging a ditch, which results in pedestrian, traffic and environmental disruptions. HDPE can be installed using an open-cut method, or through the use of eco-friendly trenchless technology. This technology can also be used to install HDPE pipes under creeks, rivers, lakes and roads with minimal environmental disruptions.

HDPE Is Used for Pipeline Rehabilitation

Most commonly, HDPE pipe is used to replace old or corroded water mains, gas mains, sewer mains, slurry transfer lines, rural irrigation, fire system supply lines, electrical conduits, communication conduits and drainage pipes.

HDPE Pipe Is Eco-Friendly

HDPE pipe has a smaller environmental impact than other types of plastic pipes. It takes less energy to manufacture HDPE pipe then non plastic pipes. HDPE is lightweight and more cost effective to transport then metal pipes. Due to HDPE flexibility and the use of heat fusion joints, fewer fittings are required. During trenchless installation, smaller pipe can be used which results in less ground disruption. HDPE pipe joints negate harmful leaks, and HDPE does not emit toxins into the air during production or during use. For all of these reasons, HDPE is recognized for its minimal impact on the environment.

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HDPE and PVC are both plastic materials commonly used to manufacture pipes. While the two materials share similarities, they have some key differences.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a strong, impermeable, and flexible thermoplastic. HDPE is ideal for water and wastewater pipelines as well as oil and gas transfer systems. In fact, this reliable and durable material often replaces metallic or concrete pipelines in these applications.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a higher tensile strength than HDPE pipe, but stronger does not always mean tougher. While PVC&#;s tensile strength is higher than HDPE pipe, it is also a much more brittle product that is susceptible to fatigue cracking and failures.

There are times when PVC pipe will work in certain applications, but we believe HDPE pipe to be the ideal choice for most water and wastewater applications.

HDPE Pipes vs. PVC Pipes Under Different Conditions

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HDPE is a natural gas-based thermoplastic, and PVC is a vinyl polymer. While they are both plastic products, HDPE is a more flexible and ductile pipe material. Below is a comparison of physical properties of the two types of pipe and their reactions to various conditions. 

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Fatigue and Water Hammer

Both materials are rated to handle standard pressure surges in pipelines. PVC pipe can handle 100 psi (pounds per square inch) above the pressure class, whereas HDPE piping can withstand two times the pressure. HDPE pipes can also handle a flow rate of 14 feet per second before the pressure rating reduces, while PVC pipes can only tolerate 5.5 feet per second.

Compared to PVC, HDPE is 2,500 times more resistant to damage from water hammer and fatigue, so the thermoplastic is far less susceptible to cracking and failure over time. 

Pressure Class vs. Working Pressure

PVC has higher pressure classes for static water, but HDPE offers higher pressure classes for working pressures and higher flow velocities. For flows greater than 5.5 feet per second, HDPE should be compared DR for DR to PVC.

Bend Radius

With a bend radius of 25 times the pipe&#;s outer diameter, HDPE pipes are capable of forming sharper curves than PVC pipes, which have a bend radius 200 times the outer diameter, or 250 times for fusible PVC. HDPE pipes can be installed with more flexibility and adaptability.

Pipe Fusion vs. Bell & Spigot

HDPE pipes are joined using heat fusion, whereby pipes are thermally fused to form a seamless, monolithic, leak-free system that can withstand changing water levels, earthquakes, frost, and other ground movement. Because the fusion joints are self-restrained, they do not create the same vulnerabilities as bell and spigot joints, which are susceptible to leakage, over-deflection, over-insertion, and thrust blocking issues.

Viscoelastic vs. Amorphous

HDPE is a viscoelastic plastic that is strong yet flexible, making it perfect for piping operations. PVC is amorphous and very strong, but it has relatively low ductility, which makes the material brittle.

UV Resistance

PVC is vulnerable to UV radiation, which can cause pipes to break down over time. However, black HDPE pipes offer complete UV resistance throughout their lifecycle, from storage to shipment to implementation.

Temperature

HDPE pipe can be installed and operated in both temperature extremes, from temperatures of -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures apply to the fluid running through the pipe as well as the environment around it.

HDPE Pipe Installation Benefits

In addition to HDPE&#;s long service life of over 100 years, the material offers unique advantages during the installation process itself:

• Narrow trench widths

  : Compared to other pipe systems, HDPE pipes allow narrower trenches, which result in easier and more cost-effective below-ground installation. This is because the pipes can be joined outside the trench and then lowered into it.

• Safety

  : Because the trenches are so narrow and precise, there&#;s no need for trench blocking and shoring. Workers are not required to go into the trenches to install/join the pipes.

• Trenchless installation

  : HDPE is the most widely-used material for trenchless installation, according to NASTT (North American Society for Trenchless Technology). The pipes&#; flexibility allows for the shortest entry and exit pits for trenchless installation.

• Versatility

  : HDPE is the only piping material that can be used for pneumatic pipe bursting due to its resistance to fatigue cracking.

Contact WL Plastics for HDPE Pipes

Although PVC and HDPE are both common piping materials, HDPE is the superior option for most piping applications. Industries that rely on HDPE pipes include energy, natural gas distribution, mining, municipal, and communications. Contact WL Plastics today to learn more about our HDPE pipe manufacturing capabilities.