PE 100-RC Pipe Systems

Polyethylene (PE) is a low-cost thermoplastic that is characterized, among other things, by good UV resistance (soot-stabilized molding compounds), physiological harmlessness and good chemical resistance. The simple molecular structure makes recycling possible. In plastic pipeline construction, PE is classified in strength classes according to ISO 9080 (PE 80, PE 100). Due to the permanent further development of PE molding compounds in recent years, the performance of PE pipes and PE molded parts has been considerably improved.

PE 100 materials are produced by a modified polymerization process, whereby they have a modified molecular weight distribution. This results in higher density and also improved mechanical properties such as increased stiffness and hardness. The materials of the latest generation are PE 100-RC molding compounds. In addition to creep rupture strength, they have a particularly high resistance against crack growth, which improves, among other things, their chemical resistance to stress-cracking media.

PE 100-RC plastics are also known as third-generation polyethylene grades or MRS 10 materials. These are further developments of PE materials that have a modified molar mass distribution due to a modified polymerization process. As a result, PE 100-RC grades have a higher density and also improved mechanical properties such as increased stiffness and hardness. The creep strength as well as the resistance against slow and fast crack propagation could be significantly improved. This material is thus suitable, for example, for the production of pressure pipes of larger dimensions, since the corresponding pressure rating can be achieved with smaller wall thicknesses compared with conventional pressure pipes made of PE.