Today we will focus on HDPE pipes. There is an opinion that this material is able to withstand severe frosts, and therefore the pipes do not break or burst when water freezes in them. I decided to figure out how true this information is. Let's start by looking at the material itself.
HDPE is a very dense, low pressure polyethylene: (0.941 to 0.965).
In appearance, HDPE pipes are difficult to distinguish from LDPE pipes (made of high pressure polyethylene). To understand which pipes are in front of you, you need to look at the passport or find the corresponding marking.
HDPE pipes have a high hardness, it is quite difficult to scratch them, even if you do it deliberately with some sharp object.
But we are more interested not in their hardness, but in frost resistance. Needless to say, when a liquid turns into ice, its volume increases. It is logical that because of this, the pressure on the pipe walls increases significantly. For any pipes, regardless of the material from which they are made, there is a rule: the thinner they are, the better they withstand the freezing of water inside them.
HDPE pipes can withstand quite a few cycles of freezing and thawing the liquid in them. Therefore, they are quite suitable for use in low temperature environments. But you need to take into account the material from which the connecting elements are made. In some cases, they deteriorate even from small frosts.
HDPE can easily endure even a 20-degree frost. Even if the liquid in such a pipe freezes and does not thaw for a long time, the material will still not burst, but only expand. When the temperature rises above 0 and water flows again, the pipe will return to its original state.
When laying HDPE pipes, you need to place them as much as possible below the level at which the soil begins to freeze. This will avoid possible negative consequences during severe frosts. If the ground does freeze, it can be loosened. In addition, during installation, you can use fire tools or electrodes, which will also save the pipes from freezing.
Analyzing all of the above, what conclusion can we come to? In general, HDPE pipes can withstand severe frosts, up to -20 degrees, and therefore they can be laid in cold climates. The main thing is to take into account the reliability and strength of the connections used. As a rule, fittings are made from other materials that are destroyed by freezing.
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