What is PE 100 Pipe?
PE 100 is a third-generation high density polyethylene HDPE pipe, representing the highest performance grade currently available for polyethylene pipes. Renowned for its exceptional pressure resistance, excellent crack growth resistance, and long service life, PE 100 pipe has become the material of choice for modern water supply, gas transmission, and industrial piping.
Core Characteristics of PE 100 Pipe
Excellent pressure resistance. PE 100’s minimum required strength (MRS) reaches 10 MPa, 25% higher than PE 80. This allows for thinner pipe walls at the same pressure and higher operating pressures at the same wall thickness.
Excellent resistance to slow crack growth (SCG). Its unique molecular structure makes it extremely resistant to crack growth, significantly extending the service life of the piping system.
Excellent resistance to rapid crack growth (RCP). It maintains excellent performance even at low temperatures or under high stress conditions.
Excellent chemical resistance. It resists attack by most acids, alkalis, salts, and other chemicals, making it particularly suitable for industrial applications.
Excellent flexibility and impact resistance. The pipe can effectively resist ground movement and external impact.
Key Performance Indicators of PE 100 Raw Materials
(1) Melt flow rate (MFR)
MFR reflects the flow properties of the material and affects the extrusion molding quality of the pipe.
Low MFR (0.1-0.5g/10min): Suitable for thick-walled pipes and high-pressure pipes, such as gas pipes.
High MFR (0.5-1.0g/10min): Suitable for thin-walled pipes and fast extrusion production.
(2) Density and crystallinity
High density (≥0.945g/cm³): Improve rigidity and pressure resistance, suitable for high-pressure applications.
Low density (0.935-0.945g/cm³): Improve flexibility, suitable for earthquake-resistant and buried pipelines.
(3) Environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR)
ESCR test can measure the material’s resistance to cracking in a chemical environment. Especially when used for chemical pipelines, the ESCR value should be over 1000 hours.
(4) Impact resistance
Low-temperature impact resistance (below -20℃): Suitable for cold areas or deep-sea pipelines.
Notch impact strength test: Ensure that the pipeline is not easily broken during construction or operation.
(5) Long-term hydrostatic strength (LTHS)
PE 100 must pass an 8760-hour hydrostatic test to ensure that it can meet a 50-year service life.
What Are Main Application Areas of PE 100 pipes
Municipal water supply and drainage: Urban water supply network, drainage and sewage treatment systems, replacing traditional cast iron pipes and concrete pipes.
Gas transmission: Medium and low pressure gas network, industrial gas pipeline, safer than metal pipes.
Industrial pipelines: Chemical, mining, power and other fields, adaptable to complex media and environments.
Agricultural irrigation: Water-saving irrigation systems, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation networks, lightweight and easy to install.
Special environments: Submarine pipelines, extremely cold areas, seismic zones, can solve the bottlenecks of traditional materials.
Emerging fields: Sponge city rainwater management, hydrogen energy transmission, integrated application of integrated pipeline corridors, promoting sustainable development.
What Are Installation Advantages of PE 100 Pipe
Lightweight: Weighing only 1/8 of steel pipe, it is easier to transport and handle, reducing labor and machinery costs.
Flexible Connection: Using butt fusion or electric fusion, a seamless, leak-free piping system is achieved, offering superior sealing compared to traditional flange or threaded connections.
Efficient Installation: Small-diameter PE 100 hose is available on reels, while large-diameter PE 100 pipe can be quickly welded, reducing the number of joints and making installation 30%-50% faster than metal pipe.
Adaptable: Highly flexible, it can be laid in a curved manner, adapting to complex terrain without the need for additional compensators.
Maintenance-Free: Corrosion-resistant and scale-resistant, it requires no anti-corrosion treatment or regular maintenance like metal pipes.
Environmentally Friendly: Excellent low-temperature performance, allowing installation at temperatures as low as -20℃. Pollution-free welding meets green construction requirements.
What Are the Economic Benefits of PE 100 Pipe
Initial cost savings:
Material costs are 20-30% lower than metal pipes.
Transportation and installation costs are reduced by over 40%.
Long-term operational benefits:
Service life of over 50 years, 2-3 times that of traditional pipes.
Smooth inner wall, roughness coefficient 0.01, reducing pumping energy consumption by 15-20%.
Extremely low leakage rate (<0.1%), significantly reducing water loss.
Maintenance cost advantages:
No anti-corrosion treatment required, saving maintenance costs.
Corrosion resistance reduces pipe replacement frequency.
Repair costs are only 1/5 of those of metal pipes.
Comprehensive benefits:
Construction cycle shortened by over 30%, accelerating project commissioning.
Flexible design reduces foundation preparation costs.
Lifecycle costs 40-50% lower than metal pipes.
How to Choose the Appropriate PE 100 Resin for PE 100 Pipes
Consider Application Requirements
Water Supply Pipes:
Use an NSF/WRAS/ACS-certified PE 100 resin for potable water contact.
If exposed to sunlight, select a resin with excellent hydrostatic strength and UV stability.
Gas Transmission Pipes:
Use a PE100-RC grade resin with a rapid crack growth resistance for increased resistance to point loads and notches.
Ensure compliance with ISO 4437 and EN 1555 standards.
Sewage or Industrial Pipes:
Select a PE100 grade granule with resistance to chemical corrosion from acids, alkalis, and industrial wastewater.
Consider using a black compound with high carbon black dispersion for improved resistance to UV and stress cracking.
The Commonly Used PE 100 Black on the Market
| Items | Brands | Melt Index | Density | Applications |
| Borstar® HE3490-LS | Borouge | 0.25 | 0.945 | Pressure pipes |
| HE3488LSW | Borouge | 0.27 | 0.96 | Pressure pipes |
| YGH-041T | Sinopec | 0.27 | 0.960 | water pipes, gas pipes, drain, discharge pipes of seawater, thin-wall bellows and industrial pipes |
| Hostalen 23050 B | LyondellBasell | 0.23 | 0.95 | Conduit, Drainage Pipe, Sewer Pipe |
| P6006 | Sabic | 0.22 | 0.959 | Gas pipelines |
| P6006AD | Sabic | 0.22 | 0.959 | Gas pipelines |