UHMWPE Food Pipe

UHMWPE Food Pipe

Safe And Hygienic Food Transport

Uhmwpe food pipe ensures safe, non-toxic transport of food and beverages with superior wear and corrosion resistance, ideal for hygienic processing applications.

UHMWPE Food Pipe

Safe And Hygienic Food Transport

Uhmwpe food pipe ensures safe, non-toxic transport of food and beverages with superior wear and corrosion resistance, ideal for hygienic processing applications.

UHMWPE food pipe, crafted from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight exceeding 1.5 million g/mol, is a specialized pipeline designed for the safe and hygienic transport of food, beverages, and other consumable materials in food processing and related industries. Certified as food-grade and compliant with FDA and USDA standards, these pipes offer exceptional wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and non-toxic properties, making them an ideal choice for applications requiring stringent hygiene and safety standards, such as dairy, beverage, grain, and edible oil transport.

The UHMWPE food pipe boasts wear resistance 4-7 times greater than Q235 steel and 2.7 times that of 16Mn wear-resistant steel, ensuring durability even when transporting abrasive food materials like grains or slurries. Its impact resistance is five times that of HDPE, two times that of PC pipes, and ten times that of PTFE, allowing it to withstand mechanical stresses without cracking. The pipe’s low friction coefficient (0.009 compared to 0.013 for steel) and self-lubricating, non-adhesive properties prevent material buildup, ensuring smooth flow and reducing the risk of contamination. This smoothness, with a roughness of 0.00022, minimizes scaling and eliminates the need for acid cleaning, saving significant maintenance costs.

UHMWPE’s chemical stability ensures resistance to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents, making it suitable for handling a wide range of food-related substances, including acidic juices or corrosive cleaning agents used in food processing plants. Its non-toxic and hygienic properties prevent bacterial growth and ensure no harmful substances leach into the transported materials, meeting strict regulatory requirements for food safety. The pipe’s high toughness, with an elongation of no less than 350%, allows it to remain flexible and crack-resistant under dynamic conditions, such as vibrations or pressure changes in processing systems.

Available in custom diameters from 50mm to 1200mm and wall thicknesses up to 65mm, UHMWPE food pipes can be tailored to specific processing needs, with options for flanged or welded connections for secure, leak-free installation. Their lightweight design—approximately one-eighth the weight of steel—simplifies handling and reduces installation costs compared to traditional metal pipes. The pipes’ ability to operate in a broad temperature range (down to -169°C and up to 80°C) ensures versatility in applications like cold storage or hot liquid transport, without the risk of freeze damage or thermal expansion seen in steel.

Compared to conventional materials like stainless steel or PVC, UHMWPE food pipes offer superior abrasion resistance and a service life over three times longer, reducing replacement frequency and operational downtime. Their leak-free design addresses the high leakage rates (15-30% in PCCP or cast iron pipes), ensuring efficient and contamination-free food transport. The pipes’ eco-friendly design, requiring no rust-proofing or frequent maintenance, reduces operational costs by up to 95% compared to metal pipelines, making them a cost-effective and sustainable solution for food processing facilities.

These pipes are also used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, where hygiene and chemical resistance are critical. Their smooth inner surface enhances flow efficiency by over 20% compared to steel pipes, saving energy in pumping operations. For inquiries or custom orders, contact Shandong Buoy and Pipe Industry Co., Ltd. at sales@buoyandpipe.com.

15×

More Wear Resistant
Than Steel

Lighter Than
Steel Pipes

9.2M

Molecular Weight
(g/mol)

1200mm

Maximum
Pipe Diameter

What is UHMWPE?

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene pipe has superior performance over conventional HDPE pipe such as very high wear resistance, impact resistance, excellent resistance to internal pressure strength, resistance to environmental stress cracking, intrinsically self-lubricating, anti-adhesion, low temperature resistance and excellent chemical resistance.

With a molecular weight typically between 3.5 and 9.2 million g/mol, UHMWPE exhibits superior wear resistance, impact strength, and chemical stability, far exceeding conventional polyethylene or metal pipes in durability and performance.

Superior Wear Resistance

Offers 15× the wear resistance of steel and 4× that of stainless steel, ideal for high-abrasion conditions.

Lightweight Design

Weighs 8× less than steel (specific gravity 0.93–0.95), lowering transportation and installation costs.

Chemical Resistance

Excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and organic solvents with zero corrosion in chemical environments.

UHMWPE Pipe Specifications

The specifications of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) pipes can vary based on the manufacturer, application, and specific requirements. However, here are some common specifications that are often associated with UHMWPE pipes:

Common Specifications of UHMWPE Pipes (Wall Thickness in mm)
DN
mm
Wall Thickness (Working Pressure)
0.6 MPa 0.8 MPa 1.0 MPa 1.25 MPa 1.6 MPa 2.0 MPa
6589
96910
110810
13081012
159101215
1688101316
205810121518
219911131620
2361012141822
2501012151923
27391113162125
28091114172126
300101215182327
315101215192429
325101316192430
350111417212632
377121518222835
400121619243036
4151316202531
4261317202532
53616212623
56016222733
63019253037
65220263238
710212734
800233138

Custom sizes available, where moulds already exist from 20–1400 mm OD, up to 65 mm wall thickness. Product can be manufactured in any colour and to all conformance requirements.

Technical Specifications

Material Properties

Property Value Unit
Molecular Weight 3.5 - 9.2 million AMU
Specific Gravity 0.93 - 0.95 g/cm³
Tensile Strength 39 - 48 MPa
Impact Strength Highest among thermoplastics -
Operating Temperature -200 to +80 °C
Friction Coefficient 0.05 - 0.15 -

Dimensional Specifications

Parameter Range Standard
Nominal Diameter 65 - 1200 mm ISO 21304-1
Wall Thickness 8 - 45 mm Custom
Standard Length Up to 12 m Custom
Pressure Rating Up to 1.6 MPa PN16
SDR Range SDR11 - SDR33 ISO Standard
Tolerance ±1% diameter Precision
FAQ

UHMWPE is more durable and abrasion-resistant than HDPE. Its long polymer chains provide superior resistance to wear, allowing it to last up to 10 times longer than HDPE in high-wear applications. However, HDPE is easier to machine and weld, making it suitable for applications requiring fabrication.

  • Low melting point: Not suitable for high-temperature applications.
  • Limited UV resistance: Degrades under prolonged sunlight exposure.
  • Difficult to bond: Requires special adhesives or surface treatments.
  • Limited wear resistance in abrasive environments: Less effective than ceramics or metals.
  • Not ideal for high-load bearings: Low modulus may cause deformation.
  • Difficult to machine: Needs special tools due to high molecular weight.
  • Sensitive to oxidation: Degrades mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.
  • Water absorption: Can affect dimensional stability and strength.
Despite these drawbacks, UHMWPE remains useful for applications where its unique combination of durability and chemical resistance is advantageous.

The better material depends on the application:
  • UHMWPE: Ideal for industrial settings where friction, impact, and wear resistance are critical.
  • HDPE: Better for projects requiring welding or fabrication, such as chemical storage tanks or 3D-printed parts.

  • High abrasion resistance: Withstands significant wear, ideal for abrasive material transport.
  • Excellent impact strength: Absorbs high energy without damage.
  • Low coefficient of friction: Reduces friction and wear, lowering pumping costs.
  • Good chemical resistance: Suitable for various industrial chemicals.
  • Lightweight: Easier to install and transport than steel.
  • Low maintenance: Resists scaling and fouling.
  • Wide temperature range: Performs well in low to moderate temperatures.

  • Dredging and mining: Transporting slurries, sand, gravel.
  • Chemical processing: Transporting corrosive and abrasive chemicals.
  • Water and wastewater: Used in treatment facilities.
  • Food processing: FDA/USDA-approved grades used safely in food industries.
  • Construction: Used in tunnel escape routes and impact-resistant applications.

  • Low melting point: Unsuitable for high-temperature use.
  • Creep: May deform under long-term stress.
  • Cost: Higher initial cost compared to some alternatives.

  • Surface finish: Should be smooth, uniform, and bright.
  • Density: Pure UHMWPE floats in water; lower quality sinks.
  • End finish: Smooth, round ends with good verticality.
  • Flanging: UHMWPE can be flanged by heating; HDPE requires a stub end weld.

Yes, UHMWPE is available in several grades, each tailored for specific use cases:
  • Virgin UHMWPE: Standard grade for general use.
  • Reprocessed UHMWPE: Budget option for less critical applications.
  • Anti-static UHMWPE: Prevents static buildup.
  • Tivar: Designed for maximum wear resistance.
  • Tivar DrySlide: Combines anti-static and self-lubricating properties.

Industrial Applications

UHMWPE pipes are trusted across industries for their extreme abrasion resistance, chemical stability, and lightweight flexibility.

Mining & Mineral Processing

Transporting abrasive slurries, tailings, and mineral concentrates with 4–7x longer service life than steel pipes.

Dredging & Marine

Natural buoyancy and corrosion resistance make it ideal for floating pipeline systems in dredging applications.

Power Generation

Reliable in handling fly ash, bottom ash, and high-temperature residues with reduced energy losses.

Chemical Processing

Safely handles corrosive fluids, solvents, and chemical effluents with excellent resistance properties.

Food & Beverage

Smooth, non-stick surfaces prevent bacterial adhesion and meet hygienic standards in food-grade systems.

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Used in drug delivery, cleanroom piping, and medical devices due to its biocompatibility and purity.

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