Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely used polymers in pipe manufacturing and underground installations. Due to its light weight, high resistance to corrosion, and long service life, polyethylene pipes have become a suitable replacement for metal and concrete pipes in water supply, sewage, gas distribution, and industrial systems.
“PE” stands for Polyethylene.
The number (63, 80, 100) refers to the Minimum Required Strength (MRS) of the polymer at 20 °C after 50 years of service life.
Summary:
PE63 → MRS = 6.3 MPa
PE80 → MRS = 8.0 MPa
PE100 → MRS = 10.0 MPa
The higher the number, the stronger the polymer against internal pressure, long-term stress, and crack formation.
| Type | Density (g/cm³) | Molecular Structure | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE63 | ~0.930 | More side branches | Lower strength |
| PE80 | ~0.940 | Fewer branches, more regular chains | Medium strength, good flexibility |
| PE100 | 0.950–0.960 | Highly regular and compact | High strength, lighter weight, longer life |
| Property | PE63 | PE80 | PE100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressive strength | Low | Medium | Very high |
| Pipe weight (for same PN) | High | Lower | Lowest |
| Flexibility | High | Medium | Low |
| Crack resistance | Low | Good | Excellent |
| Max operating temperature | Up to 40 °C | Up to 50 °C | Up to 60 °C |
| Service life (approx.) | 25–30 years | 40–50 years | 50+ years |
PE63
Oldest generation, now rarely used except for light-duty projects:
Drip irrigation and low-pressure systems
Household sewage discharge
Cable protection conduits
Non-corrosive liquid transfer
PE80
Mid-grade, widely used for medium-pressure networks:
Urban and rural water supply lines
Medium-pressure gas pipelines
Industrial sewage systems
Agricultural applications stronger than PE63
PE100
Latest and strongest generation, now the global standard:
Main water and gas transmission lines
Deep-buried pipelines
Firefighting and industrial networks
Chemical transfer systems
Subsea or highly corrosive environments