Introduction to PE Pipes

“PE water supply pipes” comply with the national product standard: (GB/T13663-2000) Polyethylene (PE) Pipeline System for Water Supply

1 • Introduction to PE Water Pipes:

PE (Polyethylene) materials are widely used in the manufacturing of water pipes due to their high strength, corrosion resistance, and non-toxic properties.

2 Advantages of PE water pipes:

(1) Exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, superior hygiene performance, and a long service life.

(2) Possesses unique flexibility and excellent scratch resistance.

(3) Exhibits exceptionally outstanding low-temperature resistance.

(4) Exhibits excellent resistance to rapid crack growth and fracture toughness.

3 • How to store PE water pipes:

(1) Store in a shed with temperatures not exceeding 40°C and adequate ventilation, or in a well-maintained warehouse.

(2) Stacked on a level support or the ground.

(Note: Stacking height should not exceed 1.5 meters.)

(3) When storing outdoors, a cover is required.

(4) Pipes with different diameters and wall thicknesses should be stacked separately by category.

Color
Municipal drinking water pipes are colored either blue or black, with black pipes required to have co-extruded blue stripes. These color strips must run along the length of the pipe, with at least three strips in total. Pipes intended for other purposes may also be available in blue and black. However, any piping exposed to sunlight—such as above-ground pipelines—must be black.
Appearance
The inner and outer surfaces of the pipe material should be clean and smooth, with no defects such as bubbles, obvious scratches, dents, impurities, or uneven discoloration. The pipe ends must be cut cleanly and squarely perpendicular to the pipe axis.
Pipe dimensions, pipe length
The standard lengths of straight pipes are typically 6 m, 9 m, and 12 m, but can also be agreed upon by the supplier and the buyer. The maximum permissible deviation in length is +0.4% and -0.2% of the specified length.
The diameter of the coil and rack should be no less than 18 times the outer diameter of the pipe material. The coil's unfolding length will be agreed upon by both the supplier and the buyer.

The hydrostatic strength of the pipe material shall meet the following requirements.

Static Hydraulic Strength of PE100 Pipe Materials

1 20 ℃Hydrostatic Strength: 12.0 MPa—no rupture, no leakage

2 80 ℃Hydrostatic Strength: 5.4 MPa—no rupture, no leakage

3 80 ℃ Hydrostatic strength: 5.0 MPa—no rupture, no leakage

80 The °C hydrostatic strength (165h) test considers only brittle failure. If ductile failure occurs within the specified time (165h), select a lower failure stress and retest using the corresponding minimum failure time.
Physical Properties
The physical properties of the pipe material must meet the specified requirements. When recycled material is added to the compound for extrusion, the difference between the measured melt flow rate (MFR) of the pipe (tested at 5 kg, 190°C) and the MFR value determined for the compound itself should not exceed 25%.
Physical performance requirements for pipes:

1 Short-creep elongation, ≥350%

2 Longitudinal shrinkage rate (110°C), ≤3%

3 Oxidation induction time (220°C), ≥20

Ethylene boasts excellent corrosion resistance, superior hygiene performance, and a long service life.

Polyethylene is an inert material that resists corrosion from a wide range of chemicals—except for a few strong oxidizing agents—and is also highly resistant to bacterial growth. It’s well known that plastic pipes have replaced steel and cast-iron pipes not only because they consume less energy for water transport and household use, but also due to their lighter weight. Water flow resistance Small in size, easy and quick to install, low in cost, long-lasting, and equipped with thermal insulation features—plus, plastic pipes outperform steel and cast-iron pipes thanks to their superior corrosion resistance and ability to inhibit microbial growth.

Polyethylene pipe The material boasts a service life of over 50 years, a fact that has not only been recognized by international standards and several advanced foreign benchmarks but has also been proven in practice.

Another reason polyethylene can be widely adopted is the growing environmental pressure on polyvinyl chloride. First, there’s the issue of PVC’s hygiene performance: it’s well-known that, when produced under proper manufacturing processes and stringent quality controls, PVC pipes can reliably meet hygiene standards—making them suitable for use in potable water systems. However, concerns remain about potential risks in areas where regulatory oversight is lax, such as: Polyvinyl chloride resin Excessive levels of vinyl chloride monomer were found, and a toxic substance was mistakenly used in the formulation of polyvinyl chloride pipes intended for potable water applications.

Additives. Non-toxicity-assured drainage PVC pipes and fittings have been mistakenly used for potable water pipes and fittings instead. Second, there’s the issue of PVC pipe recycling: Like polyethylene, PVC is a thermoplastic, meaning it can theoretically be reused. However, evidence from various countries shows that only a limited proportion of used plastic products can actually be recycled effectively. The primary disposal method remains incineration to recover energy. Unfortunately, since PVC contains chlorine, improper handling during incineration could lead to the release of harmful substances, whereas polyethylene, containing only carbon and hydrogen, burns cleanly to produce water and carbon dioxide.

1. Pipes and fittings Bonding First, wipe the spigot side and the outside of the socket with a dry cloth. If there is oil or grease on the surface, use acetone to clean it thoroughly.

2. The pipe cross-section should be smooth, perpendicular to the pipe axis, and chamfered. Before bonding, mark the insertion line clearly and perform a trial fit—however, the insertion depth during the trial fit must not exceed 1/3 to 1/2 of the intended depth. If the gap is too large, bonding should never be used.

3. When applying the adhesive, first coat the inside of the socket, then apply it to the outside of the spigot—start with the socket.

Apply a uniform, moderate amount evenly from the inner to outer axial direction—do not miss any spots or apply excessive amounts (200 g/m²).

4. After applying the adhesive, it is advisable to maintain the applied external force unchanged for up to 1 minute, ensuring the joint remains straight and properly positioned.

5. Bonding After completion, promptly wipe off any excess adhesive that has been squeezed out, and avoid applying force or imposing external loads during the curing period.

6. Bonded joints must not be installed in rain or water, and operations should not be conducted at temperatures below 5°C.

7. Connection procedure: Preparation → Surface cleaning → Trial insertion → Applying adhesive → Bonding → Curing.