FAQ

1. PE is a ductile material and has exceptional impact strength. As an example, AWWA publishes an Izod Impact resistance value of 10-12 ft-lbf/in for HDPE and of 0.65 ft-lbf/in. for PVC. PE superior impact strength provides a piping system that is near impervious to impact damage and to damage from improper tapping.

2. In the real world, engineers understand that pipes must be tough and resist impact and handling damage. PE pipes are field tested and proven to be impact tough.

HDPE pipe can be cold or hot/wet (under pressure) tapped using piping products presently available. Saddle fusion tapping tees, electrofusion tapping tees, Fuse-A-Corps, and branch-saddles are readily available in the industry. There are also bolt-on mechanical connections qualified for use with HDPE pipelines as well.

1. Yes. Polyethylene pipe has been heat fused for almost fifty years in a wide range of service applications. The window of conditions that are acceptable for good quality fusion joints is broad, and the long-term performance is documented in actual field applications as well as in long term testing. PE pipe joints are standardized through ASTM fusion procedures as well as recognized in AWWA, PPI, ASME, and other industry standards.

2. There are new technologies that attempt to mimic the advantages of PE fused joints for other pipe materials. However, these materials do not have the history, the proven performance, and the industry peer reviewed standardization of PE pipe fusion joints.

No. Tapped threads are not recommended for use on PE. The industry standards for service taps to HDPE mains recommend the use of saddle fusion tapping tees, electrofusion tapping tees, Fuse-A-corps, branch-saddles, and certain metal mechanical clamps

When external third-party damage does occur, there are several repair methods. Punctures in PE pipe may be repaired using electrofusion repair saddles or mechanical repair clamps.

If the damage is sufficiently extensive that a pipe section must be removed, the pipe section may be replaced with a spool piece of the pipe connected on each end to the existing pipe using mechanical fittings, electrofusion couplings, or flanged connections. Refer to the PPI Handbook on HDPE Pipe Repair and Maintenance

Yes. The same embedment materials are generally suitable; however, the specific parameters of the application may influence this somewhat. For instance, very high DR pipes in shallow cover subjected to a live load may require a higher level of compaction for the embedment material than required by a lower DR PE pipe or stiffer pipe.

Yes. It is safe when manufactured, used, or incinerated. It helps preserve water and electricity as there is no water loss through its fused joints. No toxins are released during the creation or disposal of PE pipe.

There are no hazardous fumes associated with the cutting of HDPE pipe.

No. The Hazen Williams C factor of 155 was determined with pipe that was fused together and thus contained inner fusion beads.

The equipment is readily available through distributors such as Hürner

Yes.

Yes. For PE pipe, connections to butterfly valves are usually made with Bevelled Flange Adapters. This prevents interference between the valve and the inside diameter of the pipe.

1. Safe burial depths vary and should be calculated. In lieu of calculations AWWA says that for an embedment soil with an E’ of 1000 psi and no surface water, HDPE pipes with DR’s ranging from 7.3 to 21 can be safely buried from a depth of 2 ft to 25 ft where no traffic load is present and from 3 ft to 25 ft where H20 live load is present.

2. Most pipes can be buried to deeper depths. Equations for calculating burial depth may be found in Chapter 6 of the PPI Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe.

Historically, PE pipe materials were designated by their density. So LDPE stands for Low Density PE, MDPE – for Medium Density PE and HDPE – for High Density PE. Higher density indicates higher material strength, but it does not relate to any other long term material properties, such as stress crack resistance.

With the introduction of international standards, PE80 and PE100 designations were introduced. The numbers relate to the MRS (Minimum Required Strength)value of the material. In the UK, materials classified as MRS8 are referred to as PE80 and materials classified as MRS10 are referred to as PE100.

PE100 is a higher performance material than PE80 and demonstrates exceptional resistance to rapid crack propagation as well as stress cracking. The higher strength of PE100 permits thinner pipe walls than PE80 for the same operating pressures. PE100 uses less polymer and provides for a larger bore and increased flow capacity for a given nominal pipe size. This can result in significant cost savings at certain sizes and pressure ratings.

No.  Our pipes are made against European standards, such as EN 12201 and EN 1555, and not against American ASTM standards.

PE100+ Quality Materials are premium PE100 grades that comply with the enhanced requirements of the PE100+ Association. These materials are exceptionally resistant to rapid crack propagation and long-term stress cracking. All GPS Excel (PE100) pipes are manufactured in PE100 pipe grades, listed on the PE100+ Quality Materials List.

a. Ensure the PE pipe used compliance to standard ISO4427/DIN8074/MS1058/EN12201 in term of dimensional specification. Refer to the attached PE pipe dimension table.

b. Ensure the pipe end cut with even and flat surface.

c. Ensure the pipe insertion reach the inner stopper of the fitting body.

a. The butt fusion machine used shall certified to ISO12176-1by a recognized certification body (e.g:SIRIM, DVT, Wrc).

b. A valid service and calibration record (min. once/ year)

c. Capable of performing the task it is designed for, i.e. machine sizes against pipe size, correct jointing parameters must be programmed etc.

d. Equipment should allow a printout of weld parameters and joint history for traceability.

Welders must hold appropriate certificates recognized by the relevant Water Authority or training party. This is evidence that appropriate training has been carried out, and they are capable of welding correctly.

Shelters.

Pipe support rollers.

Indelible marker pens.

Ground sheets or base boards.

Clean clothes to wipe the pipes before trimming.

Spirit Level to ensure machine is level.

Bead size measurement tool.

Bead Appearance.

No dirt contamination.

The gap.

Displacement.

Bead Width.

a. A valid service and calibration record (min. once per year).

b. Valid certificate of calibration and service to ensure

• Output voltage is correct

• Timer is accurate

• Electrical safety

c. Capable of performing the task it is designed for e.g. compatible voltage to the fitting.

d. Equipment shall provide a printout of weld parameters and joint history to ensure joint quality and traceability

a. Look for other same item and size of fittings with barcode.

b. Switch to manual entry mode at welding unit which allow user to manually input the fusion parameters indicate at the fitting.

Allow the fitting to fully cooled and repeat the fusion steps by scanning the barcode again. The fusion shall end with the fusion indicators raised.

The main reason for scraping is to remove dirt/contamination and reveal a new material surface for effective welding. Dirt acts as a barrier for welding and therefore cleanliness is critical.

All welding surfaces should be scraped immediately prior to welding and should not be touched.

Grease from fingers can act as a barrier to welding. The weld surface before scraping may be cleaned with acetone using a lint free cloth to remove oil/grease. A clean cloth must be used for each weld area.

Generally, the strain capacity of polyethylene is sufficiently safe for a bend ratio of 20. However, there is another limit to bending. Longitudinal bending induces ovality in the ring direction of the pipe thus reducing the resistance to kinking (local buckling).

Because fittings and flange connections are rigid compared to the pipe, the minimum bend radius is 100 times the pipe's outside diameter (OD), when a fitting or flange connection is present in the bend.

HDPE sheet material can be bent by using Calrods, strip heaters, air-circulated ovens, or radiant heaters. Heat guns can also be used on small areas. To ensure best results, a rheostat should be used to control heating of the HDPE so that the surface temperature does not exceed 340°F

Yes, HDPE resists the effects of freezing and allows bending without the need for an excessive number of fittings. Since HDPE is not a brittle material, it can be installed with bends over uneven terrain easily in continuous lengths without additional welds or couplings.

Polyethylene (PE) is a soft polymer found in the two main types LDPE & HDPE. At higher temperatures, this plastic loses its rigidity and begins to melt. LDPE will already begin melting at 105°C and HDPE will begin melting at 125°C.

HDPE is a perfect material for using drill taps. HDPE does not stick to glue well, so you can't even glue your inserts into the hole. You can thread the material itself with a drill tap bit.

Although HDPE pipe is often estimated to last 50 years, they are in fact more likely to have life expectancies of 100 years. PIPA (Plastics Industry Pipe Association) and the Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) have written technical white papers on HDPE design life.

Both HDPE and PEX are polyethylene (PE), but because of their different properties care should be taken to not confuse these two very different materials

HDPE material may be used for above ground pipeline installations if it is protected from UV (ultraviolet) and if it meets the hydrostatic pressure requirements of the design.

HDPE plastic material is supposed to be used for making a structure for floating PV installation. The HDPE material will be exposed to sunlight and will be under the influence of U.V rays.

The cold brittleness temperature of HDPE is -50°F (-45°C) This means that HDPE will still perform well, but if impacted at this temperature it may crack

HDPE Can Be Recycled at Least 10 Times.