Abstract:

The differences in the design methods of polyethylene （PE） pipes and metal pipes were compared， and the differences and connections between the two systems of PE pipe standards were reviewed. One of them is an internationally recognized standard system made by the International Organization for Standardization （ISO）， and the other belongs to the standard system compiled by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers （ASME）， the American Society for Testing and Materials （ASTM）， and the American Plastic Piping Association （PPI）. The basis and test methods for the classification of PE materials in these two standard systems are different， and the design coefficient values in the wall thickness calculation are also different. The problems in the current domestic and foreign standards were proposed and analyzed. On the basis of the application of PE pipes in the fields of natural gas， water supply， and nuclear power plant in China， some suggestions were proposed for the Chinese government to establish a set of technical standards that can meet the requirement of various applications and are also suitable for the industrial status of PE pipes.

Key words: polyethylene pipe, standard system, material classification, design factor