Polyethylene (PE) materials were initially introduced in the UK in 1933 and have progressively been used in the pipeline industry since the late 1930s.
The physical properties of the PE materials have been continually upgraded with improvements in crack propagation resistance, increased hydrostatic pressure resistance, ductility and elevated temperature resistance resulting from developments in the methods of polymerisation. These developments have resulted in increased applications of PE in the pipeline industry in such areas as gas reticulation, water supply, mining slurries, irrigation, sewer and general industrial applications.
The well recognised attributes of high impact resistance, ease of installation, flexibility, smooth hydraulic flow characteristics, high abrasion resistance, and excellent chemical reagent resistance have resulted in PE pipeline systems being routinely specified and used in a wide range of applications in pipe sizes up to 1600 mm diameter.
