HDPE Pipe Sizes and Dimensions | A Complete Analysis

Hey guys, I hope you’re doing well. Today I will share a simple and detailed guide on HDPE Pipe Sizes and HDPE Pipe Dimensions.

HDPE pipe sizes refer to the dimensions available for high-density polyethylene pipes. These pipes are commonly used for various applications, including water supply and drainage systems. HDPE pipe sizes indicate the outer diameter and wall thickness, allowing for the proper selection and installation of pipes.

HDPE pipe sizes and dimensions are an integral part of the puzzle if you want to work with these variants of pipes. However, plastic professionals seem to be confused about HDPE pipe usage and properties because it is not used in mass-market like PVC, concrete, and steel pipes. It’s high impermeability or water resistance and molecular solid bond make it ideal for high-pressure pipelines.

HDPE pipe must have a minimum density of 0.955 grams per cubic centimeter. All HDPE pipe and fittings must have a Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB) of 1,600 psi. meeting the requirements of Standard Dimension Ration (SDR) 17 as minimum strength.

General HDPE Sizing Chart | HDPE Pipe Specifications 

Nominal Pipe Size Average Outside diameter 1/2 0.84 3/4 1.05 1 1.315 2 2.375 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 3/8 5.375 5 5.563 6 6.625 7 7.125 8 8.625 10 10.75 12 12.75 14 14 16 16 18 18 20 20 24 24 26 26 28 28 30 30 32 32 34 34 36 36

Interesting Read – ABS Pipe Sizes & Dimensions For Schedule 40 and 80

HDPE Pipes Dimension Charts with Different PSI Values 

DR 7 (333 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.12 0.59 0.12 0.15 0.73 0.19 0.1888 0.92 0.29 0.339 1.66 0.95 0.5 2.44 2.06 0.643 3.14 3.4 0.748 3.75 4.85 0.795 3.88 5.2 0.946 4.62 7.36 0.976 5.06 8.23 1.232 6.01 12.48 1.536 7.49 19.4 1.821 8.89 27.28 2 9.76 32.9 2.286 11.15 42.97 .2.571 12.55 54.37 2.857 13.94 67.13 3.429 16.73 96.68 DR 7.3 (318 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.115 0.6 0.11 0.144 0.75 0.18 0.18 0.93 0.28 0.325 1.69 0.91 0.479 2.48 1.98 0.616 3.19 3.28 0.736 3.81 4.68 0.762 3.95 5.02 0.908 4.7 7.12 0.976 5.06 8.23 1.182 6.12 12.06 1.473 7.63 18.74 1.747 9.05 26.36 1.918 9.93 31.78 2.192 11.35 41.51 2.466 12.77 52.53 2.84 14.19 64.85 3.288 17.03 63.39 DR9 (250 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.093 0.64 0.1 0.117 0.8 0.15 0.146 1.01 0.23 0.264 1.82 0.77 0.389 2.68 1.66 0.05 3.44 2.75 597 4.11 3.92 0.618 4.25 4.2 0.736 5.06 5.96 0.792 5.45 6.89 0.958 6.59 10.09 1.194 8.22 15.68 1.147 9.75 22.07 1.556 10.7 26.61 1.778 12.23 34.75 2 13.76 43.97 2.222 15.29 54.28 2.667 18.35 78.18 2.889 19.88 91.75 3.111 21.4 106.4 3.333 22.93 122.13 DR11 (200 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.076 0.68 0.08 0.095 0.85 0.12 0.12 1.06 0.2 0.216 1.92 0.64 0.318 2.83 1.39 0.409 3.63 2.3 0.489 4.34 3.29 0.506 4.49 3.52 0.602 5.35 4.99 0.648 5.75 5.78 0.784 6.96 8.46 0.977 8.68 13.14 1.159 10.29 18.49 1.273 11.3 22.3 1.455 12.92 29.12 1.636 14.53 36.84 1.818 16.15 45.49 2.182 19.37 65.52 2.364 20.99 76.89 2.545 22.6 89.15 2.727 24.22 102.35 2.909 25.83 116.46 3.091 27.45 131.48 3.273 29.06 147.41 DR13.5 Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.062 0.71 0.07 0.078 0.88 0.1 0.097 1.11 0.16 0.176 2 0.53 0.259 2.98 1.16 0.333 3.79 1.91 0.398 4.53 2.73 0.412 4.69 2.92 0.491 5.58 4.15 0.528 6.01 4.8 0.639 7.27 7.03 0.796 9.06 10.92 0.944 10.75 15.36 1.037 11.08 18.52 1.185 13.49 24.19 1.333 15.17 30.61 1.481 16.86 37.79 1.778 20.23 54.44 1.926 21.92 63.89 2.074 23.6 74.09 2.222 25.29 85.04 2.37 26.98 96.76 2.519 28.66 109.26 2.667 30.35 122.49

Fascinating read – PVC Pipes: Schedule 40 VS 80

DR17 (125 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.062 0.71 0.07 0.062 0.92 0.08 0.077 1.15 0.13 0.14 2.08 0.43 0.206 3.06 0.94 0.265 3.94 1.55 0.316 4.71 2.21 0.327 4.87 2.36 0.39 5.8 3.35 0.419 6.24 3.88 0.507 7.55 5.68 0.632 9.41 8.82 0.75 11.16 12.41 0.824 12.25 14.97 0.941 14.01 19.55 1.059 15.75 24.75 1.176 17.51 30.53 1.142 21.01 43.99 1.529 22.76 51.61 1.647 24.51 59.87 1.765 26.26 68.74 1.882 28.01 78.18 2 29.76 88.27 2.118 31.51 98.98 DR32.5 (64 PSI) Minimum wall thickness Average inside diameter Average weight 0.062 0.71 0.07 0.062 0.92 0.08 0.062 1.18 0.11 0.073 2.22 0.23 0.108 3.27 0.51 0.138 4.21 0.83 0.165 5.03 1.19 0.171 5.2 1.27 0.204 6.19 1.81 0.219 6.66 2.09 0.265 8.06 3.06 0.331 10.05 4.77 0.392 11.92 6.69 0.431 13.09 8.08 0.491 14.96 10.54 0.554 16.83 13.36 0.615 18.7 16.47 0.738 22.44 23.72 0.8 24.3 27.86 0.862 26.17 32.33 0.923 28.04 37.09 0.985 29.91 42.22 1.046 31.78 47.63 1.108 33.65 53.42

Advantages: HDPE Pipes

Corrosion and Chemical Resistant: HDPE pipes are always free of corrosion, tuberculation, or support biological growth. HDPE is a perfect piping material for harsh and torturous environmental situations. The pipes made from HDPE have a smooth ID and maintain their flow capability very well over time. Even after years of use, pipes’ overall performance and integrity will not degrade (at least substantially).

Flexible and Fatigue Resistance: HDPE pipe can be bent to a radius 25 times the nominal pipe diameter. This can get rid of many fittings needed for directional changes than piping systems & fittings made from other materials.

Apart from that, the flexibility of HDPE pipes makes them suitable for areas prone to earthquakes and vigorous soils. HDPE pipes can also withstand consistent pressure elevations that exceed the static pressure rating of the pipe.

Leak-Proof: HDPE pipes can be joined by thermal fusion to form a bond or joint as strong as the pipe, making it leak-proof. Thermal fusion eliminates the risk of potential leak points every 10-20 feet, commonly found in PVC, concrete, and ductile iron pipes.

Leak-proof joints are also beneficial in removing infiltration and exfiltration problems found in other pipe joining methods.

Easy Installation: Leak-free joints and flexibility make HDPE pipes easy to install and work with. It allows for innovative, cost-effective methods; the same can’t be said about rigid PVC and concrete pipes. Alternative installation methods used for HDPE pipes, such as pipe bursting, horizontal directional drilling, slip lining, plow & plant, butt welding, socket welding, electrofusion welding, and Submerged or Floating Pipe, save a substantial amount of money, resources, and labor.

Lightweight and Impact Resistance: The easy and cost-effective handling and installation of HDPE pipes make them a boon construction industry. It is structurally designed to be better at withstanding impact than other materials, especially in cold weather conditions where other materials, like PVC, are more prone to breakage and cracks.

Permanency: HDPE pipes are a permanent and cost-effective solution for piping needs, thanks to their physical properties, meager maintenance costs, and leak-free joints. According to the best estimation by the Plastics Pipe Insitute, the life span of an HDPE pipe is about 50 to 100 years.

Interesting Read – Top 10 PVC Manufacturers and Suppliers in USA

Applications: HDPE Pipes & Fittings 

Water Supply

• Potable water supply
• Distribution
• Water mains
• Service Pipes

 Agriculture & Irrigation

• Drip irrigation (Orchards, Nurseries, Plantations)
• Flood Irrigation (Suction & Delivery pipes in pump sets)
• Sprinkler Irrigation (Crops, Gardens, Lawns, Golf course)

Drainage Pipes

• Sub-soil water
• Surface and rainwater
• Wastewater mains

Ducting

• Refrigeration and Air-conditioning
• Telecommunication, as conduits for OFC
• Extraction of Fumes

Sewage and Industrial Disposable

• Sanitary System
• Fertilizer industry
• Petrochemical Industry
• Domestic Serwage System

FAQs 

Below are the frequently asked questions for HDPE pipe dimensions. Let’s take a deep dive.

What is the color of an HDPE pipe?

Different colored pipes are used for other applications. For example, the drinking water line/potable water pipeline is always black with blue colored stripes, and pipes passing fuel gasses, liquified gasses under pressure, and process gases are always full yellow jackets or black with yellow-colored stripes.

Which is better PVC or HDPE?

Regarding piping applications, HDPE is softer and has a tight bending radius. However, HDPE is a reliable choice for pressure and non-pressure applications, thanks to leak-free joints. Conversely, PVC is more substantial and stiffer, making it ideal for direct burial and trenchless installation.

How strong is HDPE pipe?

The hardness and opacity of HDPE can be measured by its ability to withstand temperatures hovering around 248°F in the short term or even a consistent 230°F. When your application involves gas and liquid reaching and elevating those temperatures, HPDE pipes are a reliable solution.

How to glue HDPE pipe?

Cracked or open HDPE pipes – The best glue to bond the pieces is Polyethylene glue.

How do you connect HDPE Pipes?

Heat fusion is the most commonly utilized method to join HDPE pipes. It works by heating two ends and joining them together, creating a joint that converts individual sections of pipe into a single, continuous line. Although heat fusion has challenges, it can create robust and reliable joints.

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Summary

In conclusion, understanding HDPE pipe sizes is essential for efficient and effective plumbing and infrastructure projects. One can select the appropriate pipe size for various applications by considering the outer diameter and wall thickness.

HDPE pipes offer durability, flexibility, and corrosion resistance, making them popular. Proper sizing ensures optimal flow rates and system performance. With suitable HDPE pipe sizes, projects can be executed smoothly, ensuring stable and reliable water supply and drainage systems.

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