Polyethylene pipes for the conveyance of fluids and protection of cables in industrial and civil sectors

Polyethylene (PE) pipes fulfill a broad variety of requirements, which are specifically described in European and international product standards or technical specifications for each application. Their main benefits include a wide range of dimensions, smooth internal bores with superior flow properties, ease of handling on site, excellent corrosion and chemical resistance, reliably low leakage rates and an outstanding performance throughout the full lifecycle often exceeding 100 years. At the end of their life cycle, they can be recycled, thus giving a significant contribution to the circular economy. Furthermore, the lightweight and flexibility of polyethylene pipes make installations easier as less equipment is required for handling, whereas longer lengths, also as coiled pipes, mean fewer butt-welded joints or electrofusion fittings.

PE pipes are ideally suited to installation by a number of trenchless or minimum excavation techniques especially for crossings under roads, railways, rivers, airport runways, etc., with major advantages both for the reduced environmental impact and social disturbance and related cost saving of new underground networks or rehabilitation of old pipelines. PE pipes are mostly manufactured according to EN and ISO standards and are ranked by their nominal outside diameter (DN) and standard dimension ratio (SDR), equivalent to the ratio of the nominal outside diameter and the nominal wall thickness.

For applications under pressure (supply of drinking water, sewerage and gas distribution) the nominal pressure (PN) is used to designate the maximum operating pressure with a minimum design coefficient and the material minimum required strength (MRS). PE pipes are available both as black monolayer and coextruded structures with a coloured outer layer according to the intended application (blue for drinking water, orange for gas distribution, brown for sewerage and other colours for specialty markets). Furthermore, they may also have an additional peelable layer for superior installation techniques. For most applications, PE pipes are certified by external accredited bodies according to the relevant reference standards.