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.
Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene pipes for potable water systems, mining operations, oil and gas collection, wastewater removal, protecting fiber optic cables, natural gas distribution and more.
Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene, including the material’s unique features, benefits, and applications.
Polyethylene is a polymer. Polymer molecules are made of repeating chains called monomers. The monomer that makes up Polyethylene 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, Polyethylene is the most widely used type of plastic, representing 34% of all plastic made.
Polyethylene 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, Polyethylene piping is both strong and lightweight.
Using PE Pipe(s) to transport drinking water avoids the risk of corrosion that comes with metal piping while maintaining a leak free system.
Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene pipe.
Polyethylene 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. Polyethylene 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.
To fully understand the benefits of Polyethylene, consider the material in comparison with its common alternatives in water applications.
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 is a vinyl polymer, while Polyethylene is a thermoplastic. PVC has a higher tensile strength than Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene pipe has a fused joint system that is leak-free.
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’ Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene 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.
