Polyethylene Plastic Pipe in the Water Works Industry

The Science Behind Polyethylene Plastic Pipe in the Water Works Industry

In the water works industry, the materials used for piping play a crucial role in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient water distribution and transportation. Among the most versatile and widely used materials for this purpose is polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe. From residential water systems to large-scale municipal infrastructure, polyethylene pipes offer a range of benefits that make them an ideal choice for water supply systems.

Polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer made from the polymerization of ethylene monomers. It’s a flexible, lightweight material that has been used in a variety of industries for decades. Polyethylene pipe comes in various grades and thicknesses, each tailored to different applications. For sizing and uses, polyethylene plastic pipe utilizes SODR (Standard Outside Dimension Ratios) and SIDR (Standard Inside Dimension Ratios). Below is an example of each:

• SODR:
  CTS polyethylene plastic pipe is manufactured to ASTM D2737. The outside diameter of the pipe is constant regardless of SODR. The wall thickness is specified by SODR. The tolerance stack allows inner diameter of pipe larger variation than the outside diameter. SODR is determined by dividing the outside diameter by wall thickness.
• SIDR:
  IPS polyethylene plastic pipe is manufactured to ASTM D2239 with the inside diameter of pipe constant regardless of SIDR. The wall thickness if specified by SIDR. The tolerance stack allows outside diameter of pipe larger variation than inside diameter. SIDR is determined by dividing inside diameter by wall thickness.

The pressure rating of pipe deeply influences the size or type of pipe necessary for the application. Pressure rating factors of polyethylene plastic pipe include the following:

• Wall thickness: Thicker walls increase pressure rating
• Polyethylene compound: The use of PE 4710 allows for higher pressure ratings used the same SIDR/SODR as PE 2406 and PE 3408

The use of polyethylene plastic pipe in the water works industry has revolutionized the way we build and maintain water infrastructure. Its combination of durability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability makes it an essential material for water systems. To learn more about this pipe and its connection options, call A.Y. McDonald’s Customer Service Department, take the ‘Polyethylene Plastic Pipe’ AYU course, or fill out a Contact Us form.