The Top Advantages of Using HDPE Pipes

HDPE or high-density polyethylene plastic are thermoplastic sheets of plastic made from a string of ethylene molecules. They are lightweight, strong, and cost-effective.

HDPE products are also more sustainable since they require fewer materials to use during production and packaging.

Due to these reasons, HDPE pipes and fittings are popular options for various industries, including plumbing, drainage, irrigation, ventilation, communications, and mining.

Why Choose HDPE Pipes?

Pipes and fittings made of HDPE are recommended materials for industrial, construction, and commercial uses since they offer these advantages:

1. Corrosion resistance

Corrosion is the leading enemy of metal pipes and fittings. These fixtures can rust or corrode inside and out.

When the pipes become too corroded, they affect hydraulic efficiency. If they are used in plumbing systems, water coming from taps will be unsafe to use, let alone drink, since they are contaminated.

HDPE pipes are resistant to corrosive acids, bases, and salts, and therefore do not easily corrode or rust. They do not need to be treated with cathodic protection, plastic coating, and sleeving to prevent these structural issues and prolong their service life.

2. Abrasion and chemical resistance

Aside from corrosion, HDPE pipes and fittings are also unaffected by bacteria, fungi, and the naturally occurring harsh substances that can cause abrasion.

HDPE materials can also resist other organic substances, such as fuel, solvents, and other harsh chemicals.

Lastly, pipes made of HDPE are impervious to gamma-based and acidic environments.

3. Fatigue resistance

Since pipes made of HDPE are lightweight, they are more flexible and pliable. Because of this, they have exceptional resistance to fatigue caused by sudden or recurring surges of water and other liquid and other fluid-like substances.

On the other hand, plastic and metal pipes are designed and pressure-rated to handle specific amounts of occasional and recurring surges.

This means that you have to get tougher traditional pipes  for frequent huge surges, which are often more expensive.

4. Leak-proof joints

Traditional metal pipes are connected using bell and spigot or mechanical type joints. Although they are effective in joining conduits together, they are more prone to developing leaks.  

High-density polyethylene plastic pipes are joined by heat fusion. This method connects the butt, socket, and other fittings, creating a joint that is as strong as the pipe itself.

As a result, the pipes and joints become practically leak-proof.

5. Flow efficiency

Since polyethylene is smoother than steel, cast or ductile iron, or concrete, smaller HDPE pipes can facilitate the same volume flow rate at the similar pressure that larger ducts made of traditional materials can provide.

Additionally, polyethylene pipes have less drag and a reduced tendency for turbulence during greater flows.

Moreover, their chemical-resistant and non-stick features minimize scaling and pitting. These qualities also help preserve the superb hydraulic characteristics of the pipes throughout their service life.

Lastly, the flat inside part of HDPE pipes is more effective in facilitating the flow of liquids to the lines of other materials.

6. Ease in installation

Polyethylene pipes are made of materials about one-eighth the density of steel. Moreover, they come in straight lengths or coils. Due to these reasons, they often do not require the use of heavy lifting equipment for installation.

Also, HDPE pipes can be bent without the need for numerous fittings.

It is also worth noting that even if polyethylene plastic is lightweight and flexible, it is not brittle. Because of this, the pipes can be installed with bends over jagged terrain in continuous lengths without the need for additional welding or couplings.

Polyethylene pipes can also be installed by digging ditches, which is known as the open-cut method, or through eco-friendly trenchless technology.

If you want to minimize traffic disruptions when installing HDPE pipes for water supply, opt for trenchless installation. With this technique, a horizontal directional machine bores a continuous hole underground.

When the drilling head reaches the required distance, the pipe is attached and pulled back through the hole.

This method can be used when installing HDPE pipes under roads, streets, highways, creeks, rivers, lakes, and other areas with minimal environmental and public disruption.

7. Longevity

The lifespan of high-density plastic pipes is longer than metal pipes.

Metal pipes usually last between 20 and 50 years. Polyethylene pipes, on the other hand, are estimated to last between 50 and 100 years.

The HDPE pipes’ resistance to the effects of corrosion and abrasive substances helps them last longer.

Their longevity and low instances of repairs and premature replacement also make them cost-effective materials.

8. Sustainability and eco-friendliness

Polyethylene is one of the most environmentally friendly materials. This is due to the product’s following qualities:

• Requires less energy during production than non-plastic pipes
• Costs less to transport than metal pipes since they are lightweight
• They can be recycled into non-pressure pipes and other products
• Fewer fittings are needed since heat fusion is used to join the pipes
• The pipes’ leak-free connections prevent water waste
• Polyethylene pipes do not emit potentially hazardous levels of toxins into the air during the manufacturing and fusion process and once installed underground

With the advantages that HDPE pipes provide, consider using them as your piping materials in your next projects.

Browse through our lineup of HDPE pipes and fittings on our products page.