What is 16 Inch HDPE Pipe and Why Do We Use Them?

09 Jun.,2025

 

HDPE pipe - Wikipedia

Type of flexible plastic pipe

HDPE pipe (high-density polyethylene pipe) is a type of flexible plastic pipe used to transfer fluids and gases. It is often employed for replacing aging concrete or steel main pipelines. Constructed from the thermoplastic HDPE (high-density polyethylene), it has low permeability and robust molecular bonding, making it suitable for high-pressure pipelines. HDPE pipe is often used for water mains, gas mains,[1] sewer mains, slurry transfer lines, rural irrigation, fire-suppression system supply lines, electrical and communication conduits, and stormwater and drainage pipes.[2][3]

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It is frequently used in pipe bursting.

Attributes

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HDPE is resistant to many environmental factors and has applications where cheap but durable fluid piping systems are required.

HDPE pipe can be joined by butt welding, electrofusion welding, socket welding, or extrusion welding. These joints heat the pipe during the joining process to create a completely homogeneous joint without the need for additional seals or jointing compounds, reducing the likelihood of failure or negative environmental effects. HDPE is less likely than PVC pipe to have problems with root intrusion and provides integrity for the pipeline, even when installed in unstable soils.[citation needed]

Due to the fusion welding system, HDPE pipe does not need any additional supports around joints. This also allows for safer excavation close to the pipeline in the future, which is particularly important for high-pressure gas pipelines. HDPE pipe is highly durable and flexible even at lower ambient temperatures, enabling bends in the pipe system to be created with relative ease. Due to its high impact resistance and flexibility, HDPE pipe is well-suited for installation in dynamic soils, including those in earthquake-prone areas. HDPE has been considered to be cost-effective due to its versatility in installation and reduced need for maintenance.[citation needed]

Because food-grade polyethylene virgin material is used to fabricate HDPE pipes, they are safe for the transfer of drinking water. HDPE is resistant to many chemicals, facilitating its use in process plants or in corrosive or acidic environments without use of protective coatings or galvanization. As HDPE has a lower thermal conductivity than many metals it can maintain more uniform temperatures than metal pipes when carrying fluids, which reduces the need for insulation around a pipeline.[4]

Manufacturing

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To make lengths of HDPE pipe, polyethylene raw material is dried, heated to ~180 °C (356 °F), and extruded through a die.

Polyethylene pipe is usually black due to the addition of 3-5% of carbon black to the clear polyethylene material, which adds UV light resistance to the finished pipe. To create striped HDPE pipe a different die is used, containing small channels that the colored material runs through just before it is pushed through the die. Co-extruded, or co-ex HDPE pipe has an extra 'skin' of color around the black HDPE pipe, allowing the pipe to be colored on the outside for the identification of thermal cooling requirements.

After coming through the die the pipe is cooled by submerging in or spraying with water. The rate of cooling is carefully controlled to avoid deformation of the extruded pipe. Once cooled, a laser or powder printer prints the size, type, date, and manufacturer's name on the side of the pipe. It is then cut by a saw cutter or coiled into longer lengths on a coiler.

Longevity

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HDPE piping is estimated to last 50 years. However, technical white papers written by the Plastics Industry Pipe Association assert that HDPE pipe systems can be reasonably expected to last up to, or over 100 years.[5]

16 hdpe pipe - Puhui Industry

As a representative of modern engineering plastic pipes, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes have gradually replaced traditional metal and concrete pipes. Among them, the 16-inch (DN400) specification occupies an important position in municipal water supply and drainage, industrial transportation and other fields due to its moderate pipe diameter. According to global market research data, the market share of HDPE pipes in the pressure pipe field has reached 38% in , of which the 16 HDPE pipe specification accounts for about 12%.

16 HDPE pipe core features

1. Physical performance parameters

Ring stiffness: SN8 or above, can withstand 0.6-1.6MPa working pressure

Temperature range: -40℃ to 60℃ stable operation

Density: 0.941-0.965g/cm³, weight is only 1/8 of steel pipe

Friction coefficient: 0.009 (Manning coefficient), fluid resistance is reduced by 30%

2. Chemical stability

16-inch HDPE pipe has passed GB/T sanitation certification and can withstand:

Acid and alkali media with pH value of 2-12

95% common chemical solvents

Microbial erosion (passed ISO 846 test)

Application scenarios

1. Municipal engineering

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Water supply system: In a provincial capital city renovation project, after 16 HDPE pipe were replaced with cast iron pipes, the leakage rate dropped from 25% to 8%

Rainwater and sewage diversion: Zero leakage is achieved by using electric fusion connection technology

2. Industrial field

Mine tailings transportation: wear-resistant layer thickness ≥ 6mm, service life extended to 15 years

Chemical pipeline: FDA certified for food-grade medium transportation

3. Special applications

Submarine pipeline: buoyancy is only 1/10 of steel pipe, saving 40% of the anchoring cost

Directional drilling: 800-meter trenchless construction case (a natural gas project in Jiangsu)

Installation technical specifications

1. Connection method comparison

Connection Type Applicable Pressure Construction Efficiency Cost Coefficient Butt Fusion 1.6 MPa 20 meters/shift 1.0 Electrofusion 1.0 MPa 15 meters/shift 1.3 Flange Connection 0.6 MPa 30 meters/shift 1.8

2. Key points of trench construction

Base treatment: compaction degree ≥ 90%

Pipe bottom cushion: medium coarse sand thickness ≥ 150mm

Backfill requirements: compaction in layers, each layer ≤ 300mm

Economic analysis

Comparative data of a water transmission project (10 km pipeline):

Initial investment: HDPE pipe is 18% lower than steel pipe

Maintenance cost: 20-year cycle saves maintenance costs of about 2.4 million yuan

Service life: Design service life of 50 years (GB/T standard)

Industry development trend

Material innovation: Research and development of nano-modified HDPE pipe (improved impact resistance by 30%)

Intelligent monitoring: Application of embedded RFID tag technology

Green certification: Carbon footprint is 45% lower than PVC pipe (ISO standard)

16 HDPE pipe is reshaping the technical standards in the field of fluid transportation with its excellent comprehensive performance. With the advent of the new UV-resistant formula announced at the SPE/ANTEC Annual Meeting, its outdoor application scenarios will be further expanded. It is recommended to focus on key indicators such as melt flow rate (MFR) and oxidation induction time (OIT) when selecting the project to ensure system reliability.

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