Malleability
HDPE stays solid and rigid until it reaches its high melting point, but once it reaches that point, it can be molded into any shape. This malleability allows HDPE to be made into everything from food packaging to playground equipment.
What is HDPE?
We are the leading producer of high-quality polyethylene pipe in North America, offering reliable, durable, and cost-effective piping solutions for a wide range of industries.
What is High-Density Polyethylene?
High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is a natural gas-derived thermoplastic known for its impressive tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and impact resistance. These traits make it the ideal material choice for piping in a wide range of applications including pressure and non-pressure pipe, conduit and drainage. WL Plastics manufactures HDPE pipes for potable water systems, mining operations, oil and gas collection, wastewater removal, protecting fiber optic cables, natural gas distribution and more.
HDPE pipes are durable and resistant to physical damage, corrosion, common chemicals, and other environmental hazards. They are a cost-effective choice for long-term piping needs. Learn more about HDPE, including the material’s unique features, benefits, and applications.
Structure of HDPE
High Density Polyethylene is a polymer. Polymer molecules are made of repeating chains called monomers. The monomer that makes up HDPE is ethylene, with the chemical formula of (C2H4)n. Catalysts are then added creating new ethylene co-monomers on the ends of the polymer chain. Since the polymer has a simple structure with minimal branching, it forms tightly packed chains that give the material its strength, flexibility, and stability. Because of its strength and durability, HDPE is the most widely used type of plastic, representing 34% of all plastic made.
HDPE Structure
- Density of 0.944-0.965 g/cm3
- Tensile strength of >3500 psi
- Thermal coefficient of expansion of 8 x 10-6
- Maximum continuous use temperature of 140° F
- Slow Crack Growth Resistance PENT of >10,000 hours
Applications of HDPE Piping
HDPE piping can provide irrigation for gardens, farms, and other settings. This includes intake and delivery pipes for flood irrigation and sprinklers for watering crops, lawns, gardens, or golf courses. For orchards and nurseries that require drip irrigation, HDPE piping is both strong and lightweight.
Using HDPE to transport drinking water avoids the risk of corrosion that comes with metal piping while maintaining a leak free system.
HDPE pipes are a good solution for residential sewage disposal, fertilizer transportation, and waste disposal in the petrochemical industry. H2S gas from these applications does not harmfully affect HDPE pipe.
HDPE piping can provide secure coverage for electrical and telecommunications cables because of its resistance to water and other environmental hazards. The material can prevent cable malfunctions due to damage.
Piping to drain surface water, rainwater, and subsoil water needs to be strong and corrosion-resistant. HDPE pipes work well for drainage as well as wastewater mains.
Polyethylene pipes are the most commonly used pipe in the transfer and distribution of natural gas to customers. This is because of its leak-free joining system, strength, flexibility and low cost.
HDPE vs. Other Materials
To fully understand the benefits of HDPE, consider the material in comparison with its common alternatives in water applications.
Ductile Iron
Ductile iron is commonly used for industrial water and sewage pipes. The main benefit touted by ductile iron manufacturers is its tensile strength being higher than other types of thermoplastics. However, it is more expensive and susceptible to corrosion.
PVC
PVC is a vinyl polymer, while HDPE is a thermoplastic. PVC has a higher tensile strength than HDPE pipe but is less flexible. PVC is not resistant to UV damage and is susceptible to fatigue failures due to surge events. PVC and ductile iron both use bell and spigot joints which can leak whereas HDPE pipe has a fused joint system that is leak-free.
Reliable HDPE Piping Solutions from WL Plastics
High-density polyethylene is a versatile thermoplastic made of ethylene monomers. The material’s simple, linear molecular structure makes it strong, dense, and durable. It is resistant to heat, cold, corrosion, and water damage, which means it is an ideal material for underground pipes in many applications.
WL Plastics’ HDPE pipes meet industry standards, strict safety regulations, and specific customer needs. With nine state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities across the United States, we have the capacity to produce more than 800 million pounds of HDPE piping per year. Our high-volume production allows us to manufacture these pipes at the lowest possible cost for our customers while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
