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 confused about HDPE pipe usage and properties because it is not used in mass-market like PVC, concrete, and steel pipes. Its 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

Engaging Read – What is PVC Fittings? | What is PVC Connection? | The Definitive Guide

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.

Suggested Read 

• How to Choose the Right Lubricants For Plastic Parts?
• How is Plastic made? A Simple and Detailed Explanation.
• Plexiglass Vs. Acrylic | What are the Differences and Similarities?
• Food Grade Plastic: The Best Plastics for Food Applications
• Extrusion Molding Process –A Detailed Guide

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.

Thanks for reading. I’d appreciate your sharing your thoughts and reviews in the comment box.