INTRODUCTION OF POLYETHYLENE

Since its discovery in 1933, polyethylene (also known as polythene) has grown to become one of the world’s most widely used and recognized thermoplastic materials . The versatility of this unique plastic material is demonstrated by the diversity of its use. The original Application for polyethylene (PE) was as a substitute for rubber in electrical insulation during World War II. Polyethylene has since become one of the world’s most widely utilized thermoplastics. Today’s modern polyethylene resins are highly engineered for much more rigorous applications such as pressure-rated gas and water pipe, automotive fuel tanks and other demanding applications. Polythene’s use as a piping material was first developed in the mid 1950’s. In North America, its original use was in oil field production where a flexible, tough and lightweight piping product was needed to fulfill all the needs of a rapidly developing oil and gas production industry. The success of polyethylene pipe in these installations quickly led to its use in natural gas distribution where a coil able, corrosion-free piping material could be fusion joined in the field to assure a “leak free” method of transporting natural gas to homes and businesses. Polyethylene’s success in this critical application has not gone without notice and today it is the material of choice for the natural gas distribution industry. Sources now estimate that nearly 95% of all new gas distribution pipe installations in North America that are 12” in diameter or smaller are polyethylene piping .

The performance benefits of polyethylene pipe in these original oil and gas related applications have led to its use in equally demanding piping installations such as potable water distribution, industrial and mining pipe, force mains and other critical applications where a tough, ductile material is needed to assure long-term performance. It is these applications, representative of the expanding use of polyethylene pipe that are the principal subject of this article. In the chapters that follow, we shall examine all aspects of design and use of polyethylene pipe in a broad array of applications. From engineering properties and material science to fluid flown and burial design; from material handling and safety considerations to modern installation practices such as horizontal directional drilling and/or pipe bursting; from potable water lines to industrial slurries, all these things have led to the growing use of polyethylene pipes in the world .