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INTRODUCTION

The operational service life of a piping system depends on many factors. Resistance to disinfectants is one of these factors. Polyethylene (PE) pipes intended for potable water applications contain additives to provide resistance to the long term oxidizing effects of water disinfectants. Research programs conducted on PE piping compounds resulted in the development of a model that projects the performance of PE pipes in chlorinated (i.e. free chlorine and chloramine) potable water distribution and transmission systems.¹

The model is based on testing in accordance with ASTM F2263, "Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Polyethylene (PE) Pipe to Chlorinated Water" and projects the performance of PE pipes due to specific end use conditions. PE pipe compounds intended for potable water applications are classified for oxidative resistance in accordance with ASTM D3350. The oxidative resistance categories include CC1, CC2 and CC3 (highest performance).

CC1, CC2 and CC3 PE pipe compounds provide long term resistance to disinfectants in most potable water service applications. Table 1 shows a selection of utility specific conditions and the resultant resistance to disinfectants of pipes produced from PE4710 CC1 compounds.

¹ Jana Technical Report, "JP 916: Jana Mode 3 Shift Functions", March 2012