© PPFA 2016

PE 4710:

What’s in a Name?

Changes to Polyethylene Resin

Nomenclature

Adopted from a Plastics Pipes XIII presentation by

Steve D. Sandstrum, ISCO Industries, LLC &

White G. Jee, INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA

© PPFA 2016

PE 4710 – Background

Since its market

introduction, HDPE pipe

has sustained continued

growth due to its unique

features;

– Lightweight

– Flexible

– Corrosion and chemical

resistance

– Fusion joining technology

– Abrasion resistance

– Toughness and durability

© PPFA 2016

Market Potential

This has given rise to an “evolutionary” cycle of product advancement.

Expanding range of applications;

– Municipal water & sewer

– Gas distribution

– Chemical processing

– Oil & gas production

– Mining slurry and fines

– Telecommunications

– Others

Technical Advancement

Research

PE 4710 – Background

© PPFA 2016

On global basis, this evolution of the product occurred

in the context of essentially two standards systems

– North America - ASTM

– Rest of World - ISO

PE 4710 – Background

© PPFA 2016

PE 1404

PE 2406

PE 3408

ASTM System

PE 63

PE 80

PE 100

ISO System

On a global scale, the cycle can be

seen in the evolution of HDPE pipe designations that have been

prevalent over time

PE 4710 – Background

© PPFA 2016

The HDPE Pipe Paradox

Evolution of polyethylene in the context of the two standards systems has led to a unique paradox:

The same HDPE piping material evaluated and used under two equally recognized standards systems (ISO and/or ASTM) resulted in different pressure ratings with the same end-use.

The HDPE Pipe Paradox – Example

Design Aspect

PE 100 used Within ISO

System

PE 100 used Within

ASTM System

PE 3408 used Within ASTM

System

MRS (MPa) 10

HDB (psi) 1600 1600

ISO Service Coefficient, C, for gas 2

ISO Service Coefficient, C, for water 1.25

ASTM Design Factor, DF, for gas 0.32 0.32

ASTM Design Factor, DF, for water 0.50 0.50

Pipe SDR 11 11 11

ISO MOP for gas 10 bar (145psi)

ASTM MAOP for gas ** (MAOP Regulated by DOT)

7 bar (102 psi)

7 bar** (102 psi)

ISO max pressure rating for water 16 bar (232 psi)

ASTM max pressure rating for water 11 bar (160 psi)

11 bar (160 psi)

© PPFA 2016

PE 4710 – Key Findings

The current North American standards systems did not provide a basis for differentiation of the superior performance properties offered by the PE 100 materials.

– Higher pressure capability

– Higher resistance to slow crack growth (SCG)

– Higher resistance to rapid crack propagation (RCP)

Current North American standards methodology as it related to stress rating of modern HDPE pipe material

capability was overly conservative

Integrating PE 100 into ASTM:

The PE 4710 Approach

Using the thermoplastic material designation code as defined in ASTM F 412, the higher performance capabilities of the PE 100 could be “knit” into the ASTM system prevalent throughout North America.

Table II: PE 3408 Thermoplastic Pipe Material Designation Code

PE 3 4 08

Refers to polyethylene

Cell class 3 for density per

ASTM D 3350 >0.940 – 0.955

Cell class 4 for resistance to

SCG per ASTM D 3350,

ESCR > 600 hours or,

PENT > 10 hours

Hydrostatic Design Stress in units of 100 psi based on service factor

of 0.50

Pre-2005 ASTM D 3350 Cell

Classification for PE 3408 Property Test Method 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Density, g/cm3 D1505 --- 0.910 -

0.925

> 0.925 -

0.940

> 0.940 -

0.955

> 0.955 --- ---

2. Melt Index, g/10 min. D1238 --- > 1.0 1.0 to

0.4

< 0.4 to

0.15

< 0.15 A B

3. Flexural Modulus, Mpa (psi) D790 --- < 138

(<20,000

)

138<276

(20,000

to

<40,000)

276<552

(40,000

to

<80,000)

552<758

(80,000

to <

110,000)

758<1,10

3

(110,000

to <

160,000)

> 1,103

(>

160,000)

4. Tensile Strength at Yield, Mpa (psi) D638 --- < 15

(< 2,200)

15 < 18

(2,200 to

< 2,600)

18 < 21

(2,600 to

< 3,000)

21 < 24

(3,000 to

< 3,500)

24 < 28

(3,500 to

< 4,000)

> 28

(>

4,000)

5. Slow Crack Growth Resistance

I. ESCR

a. Test Condition

b. Test Duration, hours

c. Failure, Max, %

II. PENT (hours)

Molded plaque, 80C,

2.4 Mpa, Notch depth per

F14732, Table I

D1693

F1473

---

A

48

50

0.1

B

24

50

1

C

192

20

3

C

600

20

10

---

30

---

100

6. Hydrostatic Design Basis,

MPa (psi) @ 23C

D2837 --- 5.52

(800)

6.89

(1,000)

8.62

(1,250)

11.03

(1,600)

--- ---

ASTM D 3350 Cell Classification for PE 3408, 345444C or 345464C

2005 ASTM D 3350 Cell

Classification Revisions

Property Test

Method

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

1. Density, g/cm3 D1505 --- 0.910 -

0.925

> 0.925 -

0.940

> 0.940 -

0.947

> 0.947 –

0.955

> 0.955 --- ---

2. Melt Index, g/10 min. D1238 --- > 1.0 1.0 to 0.4 < 0.4 to

0.15

< 0.15 A B

3. Flexural Modulus, Mpa (psi) D790 --- < 138

(<20,000)

138<276

(20,000 to

<40,000)

276<552

(40,000

to

<80,000)

552<758

(80,000

to <

110,000)

758<1,103

(110,000

to <

160,000)

> 1,103

(>

160,000)

---

4. Tensile Strength at Yield, Mpa

(psi)

D638 --- < 15

(< 2,200)

15 < 18

(2,200 to

< 2,600)

18 < 21

(2,600 to

< 3,000)

21 < 24

(3,000 to

< 3,500)

24 < 28

(3,500 to

< 4,000)

> 28

(> 4,000)

---

5. Slow Crack Growth Resistance

I. ESCR

a. Test Condition

b. Test Duration, hours

a.Failure, max., %

II. PENT (hours)

Molded plaque, 80C,

2.4 Mpa, Notch depth per

F14732, Table I

D1693

F1473

--

A

48

50

0.1

B

24

50

1

C

192

20

3

C

600

20

10

---

30

---

100

---

500

6. Hydrostatic Design Basis,

MPa (psi) @ 23C

D2837 --- 5.52

(800)

6.89

(1,000)

8.62

(1,250)

11.03

(1,600)

--- --- ---

ASTM D3350 Cell Class for Typical PE 3408: 345464C

ASTM D3350 Cell Class for Typical PE 4710: 445574C

© PPFA 2016

The final two digits relate to the hydrostatic design

stress which is used to pressure rate the pipe

So, where did the “10” originate?

– An industry task group researched the issue and

has established a higher design factor, 0.63, for

HDPE materials based upon three key criteria

PENT value > 500 hours per ASTM F 1473

50-year extrapolation per ASTM D 2837

LCL of 90% or higher when tested in accordance

with ASTM D 2837

What about the “10” in PE 4710?

© PPFA 2016

What about the “10” in PE 4710?

Increases the HDS for higher performance pipe grade HDPE’s – HDS PE 3408 = (HDB x 0.50) = 800 psi

– HDS PE 4710 = (HDB x 0.63) = 1000 psi

– Where HDB = 1600 psi

Consider an SDR 11 HDPE pipe and the ISO equation – P PE 3408 = (2 x HDS)/(SDR - 1) = 160 psi

– P PE 4710 = (2 x HDS)/(SDR - 1) = 200 psi

The PE 4710 Approach

Table III: PE 4710 Thermoplastic Pipe Material Designation Code

PE 4 7 10

Refers to polyethylene

Cell class 4 for density per

ASTM D 3350 >0.947 – 0.955

Cell class 7 for resistance to

SCG per revised ASTM D 3350, PENT > 500

hours

Hydrostatic Design Stress in units of 100 psi

based on service factor

of 0.63

The result of these actions is a new thermoplastic piping material designation code, PE 4710

PE 4710: Closer to Parity with ISO

Design Aspect

PE 100 used Within ISO

System

PE 4710 used Within ASTM

System

PE 3408 used Within ASTM

System

MRS (Mpa) 10

HDB (psi) 1600 1600

ISO Service Coefficient, C, for gas 2

ISO Service Coefficient, C, for water 1.25

Proposed ASTM Design Factor, DF, for gas 0.40 0.32

Proposed ASTM Design Factor, DF, for water 0.63 0.50

Pipe SDR 11 11 11

ISO MOP for gas 10 bar (145psi)

ASTM MAOP for gas ** (MAOP Regulated by DOT)

8.8 bar** (128 psi)

7 bar** (102 psi)

ISO maximum pressure rating for water 16 bar (232 psi)

ASTM Maximum pressure rating for water 13.9 bar (201 psi)

11 bar (160 psi)

© PPFA 2016

PE4710: What to Expect?

The system will provide the designer a choice in the level of pipe performance

Pre-2006 2006

PE 2406 PE 2708

PE 3408

PE 4710

PE 3608

0.925-0.94, SCGPENT > 500 hours, HDS = 800 psi

>0.947-0.955, SCGPENT > 500 hours, HDS = 1000 psi

>0.940-0.947, SCGPENT > 100 hours, HDS = 800 psi

Properties

Resin Density (gr/cc), SCG (hours), HDS (psi)