A high density polyethylene pipe – or HDPE pipe – is a specific type of plastic pipe with incredible durability, flexibility and multi-purpose application. In addition, this type of pipe has been used for decades around the world for all types of tasks and purposes, from gas transfer to sewage, drainage, water infrastructure and more.
So, below we have compiled the main points you need to know about what a high density polyethylene pipe is, how it is used and what are its exact advantages and disadvantages.
What is high density polyethylene pipe or HDPE pipe?
A high density polyethylene pipe is a type of high quality plastic pipe that can be used for almost any type of liquid or gas. HDPE pipes are a type of PE (polyethylene) pipe because they are made from petroleum, like any other plastic. HDPE pipe polymers are, as the name suggests, much higher density, making them ideal for many industrial uses where normal PE pipe would not work.
This does not mean that HDPE material is only good for pipes, of course. This type of plastic has been used for everything from toys, high quality drinking bottles or sports equipment to insulation and piping. Let’s look at the latter in more detail below.
What are HDPE pipes used for?
HDPE pipes have been a mainstay in most industrial and infrastructure construction areas for decades alongside steel, concrete and PVC pipes. Today, a high-density polyethylene pipe can be used for anything like drinking water pipes, gas pipes, supply lines for fire systems, rural irrigation, communication pipes and other electrical pipes, drainage and storm water pipes, sewer pipes, transfer lines and more.
Such uses for HDPE pipes can be found in both industrial and residential areas, homeowners are free to install them in their homes for any of their gas, water, sewer and other such needs.
This versatility of HDPE pipes is due to the very specific mix of properties and advantages they come with. However, it is still important to keep in mind a few key features or disadvantages that these pipes also have.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of HDPE pipes?
Considering what HDPE pipes are, some of their advantages and disadvantages are obvious at a glance. For example, due to their high density, they are much more durable than other PE pipes, as well as all common PVC pipes. This makes a HDPE pipe usable in many more cases and scenarios than those pipes.
At the same time, as a type of polyethylene pipe, HDPE provides more flexibility than ordinary steel or concrete pipes, it is lighter and easier to transport, its installation is much simpler and so on.
All of these also have some disadvantages, such as lower temperature tolerance compared to steel and concrete pipes, lower strength and so on. So let’s go over each point below.
Pro:
- HDPE pipes have a high resistance to most harmful effects, such as corrosion, deposits, tubercles, etc. Chemical resistance and corrosion resistance are particularly big advantages for this type of pipe, as other PE and PVC pipe materials have certain limitations when it comes to corrosion and chemical resistance.
- HDPE pipes are much lighter and easier to transport. This is an obvious advantage in terms of cost-effective logistics, especially when it comes to larger quantities, lengths and diameters of pipes.
- A high density polyethylene pipe allows faster installations. This is due to the lightweight nature of HDPE pipes, even when they are longer compared to concrete and steel pipes. This is excellent both for residential use, where the user’s logistical capabilities are often limited, and for industrial use, where large quantities of piping are often required.
- Greater resistance to frost cracking compared to steel and concrete alternatives. This is one area where HDPE pipes shine particularly brightly, as the HDPE material can remain perfectly ductile even at sub-zero temperatures and even as water repeatedly freezes, thaws and refreezes inside the pipe.
The same cannot be said for more rigid pipe materials such as concrete and steel, as they can suffer permanent damage from freezing at particularly low temperatures, especially over time. This makes HDPE ideal for alpine areas.
- HDPE pipes have a much lower waste value and therefore lead to much less theft on site. Although there are certain steps you can take workplace theft preventionusing equipment and materials with a lower waste value is key.
- HDPE pipes are also recyclable and environmentally friendly. This is contrary to the conventional wisdom of many people. However, even if it is true that the production process of HDPE pipes is not so environmentally friendly, the pipes themselves are 100% recyclable.
- There is a wide range of splicing and mounting options that do not require a flame for splicing. This is because HDPE pipes have been widely used for decades and are by no means a newcomer to the industrial scene.
- HDPE pipes provide excellent safety for drinking water in both the short and long term. It’s intuitive that people don’t trust plastics when it comes to drinking water and food, but HDPEs have been widely recognized equally safe for use with potable water, especially when it comes to cold and moderate temperature water.
HDPE pipes were also approved for use with hot potable water in Europe for a time, although similar approvals are not yet as common in the United States.
- A high density polyethylene pipe has more than enough durability to withstand the installation process and prolonged use. The exact type of HDPE matters, of course, depending on the design hydrostatic stress of the HDPE material.
This is largely – though not exclusively – determined by how much the plastic polymer was pressurized during its manufacture. This is usually signified by the number on the pipe name, such as PE63, PE80, PE100 or others, which indicates the number of molecules polymerized by the ethylenes in the polymer.
- Because they can be heat-fused, HDPE pipes are virtually 100% watertight, thus avoiding a common problem with steel and concrete pipe joints.
- A standard high density polyethylene pipe is also UV resistant and can spend decades above ground without UV damage to the pipe.
Versus:
- HDPE pipes have poor weather resistance compared to concrete and steel pipes. This disadvantage may be contested by some, as HDPE pipes are much more weatherproof than other PE and PVC pipes, but they are still not at the level of concrete and steel when it comes to extreme weather conditions.
- A high rate of thermal expansion compared to other materials. The precise rate of thermal expansion of HDPE pipes is calculated as – 8.0 x 10-5 in/in/°F. This translates to about 1 inch of expansion for every 10° Fahrenheit change in temperature for every 100 feet of pipe length. This rate of expansion is about 4.5 to 5 times that of steel and iron pipes.
It is worth noting that this higher rate of thermal expansion is it is not seen as a major disadvantage in most situations even expert technicians know when and how to fix it. However, it is a scam that needs to be mentioned.
- Bonding a high-density polyethylene pipe is more difficult and time-consuming. This is despite the relative ease of installing HDPE pipes and is due to the fact that HDPE is a type of plastic with very high abrasion resistance – that is, it is very difficult to glue.
- HDPE pipes are susceptible to stress cracking. This is due to the high density of this PE material – making it resistant to high tensile stresses, as HDPE can stretch and yield, but experience brittle failure under low tensile stress.
- Lower overall strength or stiffness – this disadvantage is self-explanatory because although HDPE is much stronger than other PE materials, it cannot match the strength of concrete and steel pipes.
- HDPE pipes are flammable under certain conditions. This is not to say that they are highly flammable – they are not – but compared to steel and high-quality concrete pipes, any HDPE will technically be more highly flammable as it has an auto-ignition temperature of ~300o Celsius (572o F).
Bottom line – what is HDPE pipe and should you use it in your home?
HDPE pipes are a type of PE pipe that is made of high-density thermoplastic polyethylene, so that it is more durable and long-lasting under different conditions. This makes HDPE pipes excellent for many different tasks in both residential homes and large-scale infrastructure.
Whether you are looking for water pipe, sewage pipe, industrial gas and chemical pipe, or almost any other type of fluid or gas, a high density polyethylene pipe is probably the way to go. followed.
