Making the connection: a guide to adaptations for HDPE pipe
With a range of HDPE pipe adaptations on the market, knowing which one to use and how to transition the fitting to other materials can be challenging.
At Advanced Piping Systems, our pipe experts can recommend the best adaption solution for your project, no matter how big or small.
According to Sales Engineer Matthew Gooden, adapting pipe using a thread or flange is usually the best option – followed by Advanced Universal Adaption Joints (UAJ).
Thread adaptors
Advanced Piping Systems stocks a range of thread adaptors for common HDPE pipe adaptations.
The Advanced PE100 BSP Threaded Adaptors are for installing measuring instrumentation, chemical or flocculant dosing points that control whole pumping and piping in process systems.
“In an environment where accuracy is key, the small details and quality of every threaded fitting is really important,” said Matthew.
“Both our female and male threaded adaptors are manufactured using the best in practice manufacturing processes.”
Every Advanced Piping Systems poly threaded adaptor is manufactured from an injection moulded PE100 billet that is then time-stabilised (up to three months depending on the size), prior to CNC machining of the thread.
This two-step process delivers a high strength thread manufactured from the same high-performance material as the PE100 pipe system itself, with the same non-corrosive and acid-resistant properties.
The long spigot length of the adaptors is unique and allows for easy buttwelding, electrofusion welding and socket fusion welding.
Advanced Piping Systems can also machine custom made thread adaptors to your exact specifications with larger or nonstandard reductions and NPT threads.
The large reinforcing boss behind the male thread in the PE100 Male Thread Adaptor has been engineered for added fitting hoop strength and resistance to pressure.
For additional strength to the female threaded body, a press fitted 316 Stainless Steel reinforcing band is added.
The Advanced DZR Brass threaded fittings are full-bore for unrestricted flow and are pressure rated to SDR11 PN16.
Like the Advanced PE100 BSP Threaded Adaptors, the elongated spigots on the brass threaded fittings can be electro fused, butt welded, and socket fusion welded.
“The three fusion welding options provide a big advantage, with modular flexibility for installers, piping designers & specifiers,” said Matthew.
“This means that whatever the welding method is these fittings will work.
“Plumbers installing gas and water systems prefer the brass threads as the full PN16 pressure rating is maintained, and they can use thread glue or thread locker such as Loctite and other brands of thread sealants, and Teflon thread tape,” he said.
The brass threads are tapered for maximum sealing and resistance to movement from system vibrations.
During the manufacturing process, the brass threaded section is grooved, then over-injection moulded in PE100 so that the two materials are locked together. It is then laminated for total PN 16Bar pressure rating for 1600kpa in water and liquids, and 5Bar/500kpa for gas.
Advanced Poly to Brass threaded male adaptors are a fully pressure rated way of adapting from female threaded fittings, flanges, or equipment to HDPE/PE100/Poly pipe and fittings.
The Male Brass taper thread provides a reliable seal that is manufactured from DZR Brass — a process that removes metallic impurities from brass.
“We find that for 99 per cent of plumbers, brass threads are their first choice,” said Matthew.
“Brass is also the best performer for potable water systems.
“The elongated spigot will work with any fusion fitting and the brass thread has a hex section for easy grip and controlled tightening,” he said.
The complete range of Advanced Piping Systems’ threaded fittings includes fittings from 20mm x 15mm/0.5” right up to very large 100mm BSP threads, which have not been available in the industry until this point. This includes 75mm x 2.5”, 90mm x 3”, 110mm x 4” and the large 125mm x 4”.
PE100 to 316 Stainless Steel BSP Thread Adaptors are a high-performance HDPE fitting that adapts from female threads to HDPE poly pipe and fittings.
The tapered 316 stainless thread offers the pressure rating and strength of a metallic thread with the 316 Stainless resistance to salty, brackish corrosive environments and liquids.
The spigots of these unique adaptors are manufactured with enough length so they can be buttwelded to pipe and fittings, as well as electrofusion and socket fusion welded as required.
The PN16 rating makes these stainless adaptors the best fitting match for PN16 single piece, two-piece, and three-piece stainless BSP ball valves or true union ball valves.
Advanced Universal Adaption Joint (UAJ)
If thread adaptors are not possible for your project, you could consider the more flexible option of an Advanced Universal Adaption Joint (UAJ).
The UAJ is a revolutionary fitting made specially for HDPE piping, that permanently fixes the adaption challenge of adapting and sealing poly pipes to another pipe material.
UAJs can be used in a variety of industries, for a range of purposes, explains Matthew.
“Whether it’s cutting into or repairing an old existing inground service, when an UAJ is connected onto an existing pipe, this coupling will never pop off as traditional Gibault bolted couplers are prone to do in time,” he said.
“This coupling can adapt to cast steel or ductile iron, asbestos or fibre cement pipe, copper and PVC as well as other PE/HDPE piping.
“It has been tested and approved on some of Australia’s biggest gas utilities, and they do not come off and they do not leak.”
The Advanced UAJ’s are rated to PN16 and all come with SDR11 long spigots for butt or electro fusion welding in sizes ranging from 90mm with 84 to 108mm adaption range to 400mm with 354-384mm adaption range.
If you would like further assistance selecting the most suitable threaded fitting or UAJ for your system, please call the A team on 1300 362 229.
