INTRODUCTION

Of MDPE PIPE
 Basic concept of MDPE Pipe
Natural gas is the cleanest and least polluting energy with the lowest carbon content of all fossil
fuels. Its combustion emits less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than coal and oil, and so,
helps to mitigate the greenhouse effect.
The use of plastic materials for pipes to supply combustible gases up to a maximum operating
pressure of 4 bar began in Spain at the beginning of the 70s. The 1974 Spanish

Regulations Pertaining to Gas Fuel Networks and Connections, included it as one of the
materials that could be used up to a maximum operating pressure of 4 bar, together with steel,
copper, ductile casting and soft iron casting.

Initially, it was only applied to pressure pipes, but in 1973 Medium Density PE 80 was
introduced by way of experiment for 4 bar networks. Nowadays, it can be said that the pipes
used for Natural Gas distribution as well as for LPG under 4 bar pressure are PE pipes.

In 1988, the third generation of resins appeared on the market, which was subsequently
denominated and classified as PE 100 by the corresponding ISO standard.

The advantage of this material compared to PE 80 is that it basically has a higher MRS and is
more resistant to both slow and rapid crack propagation. Therefore, this material is suitable to
use in PE pipes for gas distribution at pressures of over 4 bar.
WHY IS PLASTIC PIPE CALLED PE-80 ?

PE- Stand for Poly Ethylene.

PE 80- Pipe have a minimum required
Strength (MRS) of 8 MPA.
PN Pressure Nominal (PE Pipe are produced
in different pressure Grade (PN Grades)which
indicates the pressure in bars ).
Medium Density Poly Ethylene (MDPE)
Pipes

1. Tech Spec: IS 14885:2001.

2. Material Grade & Color: Internationally approved
resins of PE 80 grade of Yellow color.
3. Minimum Required Strength (MRS) of PE 80 grade
pipe: 10 MPa
4. Pressure Class: SDR 11 (Dia 32mm & 63 mm,90mm)
5. Operating pressure: 6 bar (g).
6. Operating temperature range: - 10 C to + 40 C
 Criteria for using PE pipes for gas distribution

Low weight
Easy installation
Flexible, come in rolls
Cheap to install
Non-rust, non-corrosion and no scale build-up
Easy identification, colours: yellow and orange
Low maintenance costs
Reliable and safe joint systems (butt welding and
electrofusion)
Ecological, recyclable
Long useful life (50 to 100 years)
 Document Review

Mill Test certificate of Raw Material

Supplier Certificates of analysis for Raw
material.
Test report of Raw Material inspection
Test report of Finish Material inspection
Dimension & witness report
Calibration status Sheet .
 COMPOUND MATERIAL
MDPE pipes are made of polyethylene
materials that meet the requirements of
Indian Standard IS 14885:2001.
 Material Description
Material Grade
1. Borealis ,Norway ME3441
2. Total Petroleum, Europe 3802 YCF
3. INEOUS ,Europe Eltex TuB172
 Scope of inspection
Test on Raw Material
Density Test (Base Polymers)
Melt Flow Rate (MFR)
Thermal stability (OIT)-oxygen induced test
Volatile metal content(Moisture check up test)
Pigment dispersion
 EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT
Electronic Balance
Air oven Temp. Controller
Digital vernier
Micrometer
Electronic pressure gauge
Water bath
Melt flow rate tester (5kg Weight )
DSC Perkin Elmer (OIT)
Tensile M/C Deepak
Hot plate
PRODUCTION PROCESS OF MDPE PIPE
1. Material Tray
2. Hopper
3. Barrel machine
4. Barrel M/C backside indicator to maintain the 180c Temp.
5. Die Head
6. Vacuum tank
7. Spray Tank
8. Meter wheel Marking Distance
9. Haul Off / Line Speed
10. Coiler & Packing
 Test on Finish Product
1. Dimension
a) Wall Thickness of pipe .
b) Outer dia
c) Ovality
2. Visual
3. Length
4. Density Base Polymers
5. Melt Flow rate (MFR)
6. Thermal Stability (OIT)
7. Reversion Test
8. Hydraulic Test
9. % Elongation at Break
 Advantages of PE pipes compared to metal
pipes
Lower density, lower weight
Greater length, coils or straight pipes, fewer joints
Flexible, less fittings
Flexible, resistant to soil settlement
Easy to handle and install
Cheaper to install
Low elasticity modulus, less water hammer
Non-rust, non-corrosion, no scale build-up
Welded joints
Smooth on the inside, less roughness
Lower load loss
Characteristic Standard PE 80