Applications
Irrigation
HDPE pipe for irrigation and water systems resists corrosion and weather, and its flexibility cuts the number of fittings a network needs.
Why HDPE for irrigation
HDPE pipe is light and flexible. Directional changes need fewer fittings, installation takes less time, and the line tolerates ground movement, including earthquake-prone areas.
PE100 walls give a high pressure rating, resistance to slow crack growth and resistance to rapid crack propagation. For large diameters this makes PE the practical alternative to steel or ductile iron.
Working pressure by water temperature
The pressure a polyethylene pipe carries falls as the water warms. The figures below are the maximum working pressure in bar for small-bore irrigation pipe at each water temperature.
| Nominal inside diameter, mm | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| 16 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| 19 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| 25 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
Source: ALROWAD irrigation pipe data sheet (alrowadpipes.com).
Pipe weights, PE 80 underground lines
Wall thickness and weight per metre for PE 80 pipe in the three ISO S series used for underground irrigation mains. A dash means the size is not made in that series.
| ISO S 163.2 bar | ISO S 12.54.8 bar | ISO S 8.36 bar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter, mm | ||||||
| 110 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 1.46 | – | – |
| 125 | 3.9 | 1.51 | 4.9 | 1.88 | 7.1 | 2.66 |
| 140 | 4.4 | 1.92 | 6.2 | 6.04 | – | – |
| 180 | – | – | – | – | 10.2 | 5.48 |
| 200 | 6.2 | 3.84 | – | – | – | – |
| 225 | 7.0 | 4.84 | 8.7 | 5.96 | 12.8 | 8.55 |
| 250 | 7.8 | 5.99 | – | – | – | – |
| 280 | 8.7 | 7.47 | 10.8 | 9.18 | 15.9 | 13.2 |
| 315 | 9.8 | 9.45 | – | – | – | – |
| 355 | – | – | 13.7 | 14.7 | 20.1 | 21.2 |
| 450 | 14.0 | 19.2 | 17.4 | 23.7 | 25.5 | 34.0 |
| 560 | 17.4 | 29.7 | 21.6 | 36.6 | 31.7 | 52.5 |
| 630 | 19.6 | 37.6 | 24.3 | 46.3 | 35.7 | 66.5 |
Source: ALROWAD irrigation pipe data sheet (alrowadpipes.com).
Network layout
A drip network in one view: the pump draws from the well, sand and organic matter come out in the hydro-cyclone, screen filter and sand filter, fertiliser goes in through the venturi, and the mainline feeds a submain with a valved lateral on every bed.
Interactive model
Walk the network
From the well to the last dripper: every part of a drip system, labelled and explained in 3D.
Next step
Other applications
- 01WaterPE pipes for potable water are extruded from virgin polyethylene resins with carbon black for UV resistance, to DIN 8074 and DIN 8075.
- 02Fire fightingPolyethylene piping for underground fire-fighting systems, manufactured to ISO and DIN 8074 and DIN 8075.
- 03GasPolyethylene is the standard material for gas distribution. Typical pressure ratings reach 80 psi for MDPE and 125 psi for HDPE.
- 04Fish cagesHDPE floating cages for aquaculture. Each project starts with an assessment of the site and the species.
- 05LiningA damaged or worn pipeline renewed from the inside: a continuous polyethylene pipe is pulled into the old one between two pits, with no open trench along the route.