POLYETHYLENE PIPE GRADES DISCUSSED IN  NEW TECHNICAL DOCUMENT

Covers Performance Requirements and Details Comparisons

IRVING, TX –  The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) today announced the publication of a new document that provides the technical basis for comparing PE 100-RC to PE4710 pressure pipe.  Called PPI TN-68, Historical Review of the PE 100-RC Concept – How PE4710 Compares to PE 100-RC, it will provide a perspective on the Slow Crack Growth (SCG) resistance requirements for the PE 100-RC designation in comparison with the North American PE4710 designation.  This publication offers a common basis and understanding to industry.  PPI is the major North American association representing the plastic pipe industry.

“The PE 100-RC concept has been around since 2009,” stated Patrick Vibien, P.Eng., technical director, PPI, “but there is a lack of clarity to the implications of the designation and a lack of consensus on whether a comparable designation has value for the North American industry given the already elevated SCG resistance requirements of PE4710.  The development of the PE 100-RC designation was not due to documented performance issues with PE 100.  This grade designation has been promoted internationally by the PE 100+ Association and is now being introduced into ISO and CEN standards.  Although PE compounds are fairly similar, the test methods and requirements for assessing the performance of the designations differ significantly.  Our new document goes into detail about this plus provides a comparison chart and other data that can be helpful and useful.”

TN-68 can be found on the Technical Notes page of the PPI website www.plasticpipe.org