PE / PE100-RC
Agruline: PE100-RC Resistant-to-Cracks Polyethylene Fittings from Agru
Polyethylene (PE) piping systems are durable, mechanically strong and high-impact resistant. Fusion stocks and supplies Agru PE100-RC (Agruline) fittings, a Resistant-to-Cracks form of PE that’s completely weldable to standard PE systems.
PE is used extensively in water treatment, water distribution and in lesser chemical applications / processes where the priority is for bulk fluid distribution as opposed to technically specialised applications.
It is available in a range of sizes and pressure ratings to suit water treatment, utilities, mining, irrigation and rural applications.
Size Range
16 – 2000mm
Pressure Rating
From 10 to 25 bar (1000 – 2500 kpa)
Operating Temperature
-50 – 60°C
Jointing Technology
Butt, socket and electro fusion, IR (Infrared) and compression
Fusion: An Australian Distributor for Agru Austria
Agru manufactures products from PE (PE100-RC), PP (PP-R), PVDF (UHP) and high purity (ECTFE) to handle a wide variety of operating conditions in industrial applications and dual containment (PolyFlo), pre-insulated (CoolSafe) as well as concrete lining systems (SUREGRIP). All available from Fusion in Australia.
What is PE100-RC?
The ‘RC’ in PE100-RC stands for ‘Resistant to Cracks.’ The PE100-RC range has a superior level of durability and resistance to Slow Crack Growth (SCG). SCG is the most common cause of long term failure in PE products.
Benefits of Standard PE
- Durable and mechanically strong.
- Cost effective.
- Flexibility compared to steel and equivalent cement products.
- Range of pressure ratings available.
- Broad range of jointing methods to suit specific applications.
- Colour coding to AS/NZ standards available for ease of identification.
- Easy to use and install.
- UV stabilised
- CO-EX white option is also available to reduce heat soak.
Benefits of PE100-RC
- Resistance to slow crack growth.
- Higher durability to abrasion and damage.
- Suited to sand bed free and trenchless installation.
The superior durability of PE100-RC makes it a more efficient, harder wearing, easier to install and cost effective option.
Agru PE from Fusion
All Agru PE (also called Agruline) supplied by Fusion is PE100-RC and fully compatible / weldable to regular PE100 (and PE80 / 63).
Interested in PE100-RC? Contact us or download our Product Guide to see our complete range of PE products.
Agru PE100-RC MultiBend
Agru Multibends provide top flexibility: they can be used as long-spigot or, when cut, as a short spigot fitting. They’re stable PE100-RC bends suitable for butt and electro-fusion welding. Agru Multibends are easier to install than standard elbows, have a lower resistance coefficient and less pressure loss than long spigot elbows. Find the complete range of Agru Multibend fittings in the Fusion Product Guide.
A Sample of Our Range
PE 90˚ Multi-Bend
PE Stub Flange
PE 90˚ Elbow
PE Threaded Adaptor Fitting
PE Tapping Saddle
PE Electrofusion Coupler
What is the difference between PE, PE80, PE100, HDPE and PE100-RC?
The acronym ‘PE’ used by itself in reference to piping, fittings and valves is a broad term for all types of Polyethylene. Polyethylene comes many variants, the most common being PE80, PE100, LDPE, MDPE, HDPE and PE100-RC.
The numbers in PE80 and PE100 refer to the long-term strength of the material measured by analysing long-term pressure testing data. PE100 being the superior of the two (more information available here). Fusion does not stock PE80 as it is no longer commonly used in the industry.
LDPE, MDPE and HDPE are short for Low Density, Medium Density and High Density polyethylene; the differences relate to material density. HDPE (also called PE100 or PEHD) is the more superior, with the highest density; it does not dissolve in many chemical applications and has excellent strength when used in water and pressure pipe systems (more information available here).
PE100-RC (RC stands for Resistant to Cracks), is a form of PE which offers much greater resilience to cracking. Slow crack growth is the primary cause of failure in PE lines. Point loads, such as stones, push against the wall of a pipeline; eventually leading to cracking. Upon performing a Full Notch Creep Test (more information here), which tests the minimum time before failure, regular PE100 (DVS 2205-1) resulted in a 300 hour failure time compared to 8760 hours for PE100-RC (PAS 1075, data provided by AGRU Austria). A significant performance increase over regular PE.
Service Life Up to 10 Times Longer
In a series of tests, the HESSEL Ingenieurtechnik GmbH test institute demonstrated that the service life of PE 100-RC E-couplers is many times longer than PE 100 E-couplers currently available on the market. The vertical axis shows the service life in an accelerated internal pressure test (90 °C, test pressure of 9.2 bar and wetting agent 2% NM5 in deionised water). The horizontal axis shows the correlating service life of corresponding test specimens in a full-notch creep test (FNCT), which were also subjected to accelerated test conditions.
The results of these tests prove a service life of up to ten times longer for PE 100-RC electro-socket fittings under identical test conditions!
The information above comes from Agru Austria and can be viewed here.
Applications of PE
- Gas / Water Distribution Networks
- Water Pipelines
- Irrigation Pipelines
- Plumbing Pipes
- Waste Water Pipes
Where Fusion Has Supplied / Installed PE
- Many mining projects throughout Australia.
- Civil infrastructure projects in north-west, Western Australia.
- The Wheatstone Project, Western Australia.
- Water authority mains replacements throughout Perth, Western Australia.
- Water authority plant construction in Adelaide, South Australia.
- Desalination plant construction in south-west, Western Australia.
Interested in The Capabilities of PE?
Download the Agruline brochure or contact us.
Fusion Can Fabricate & Install PE Systems
Download the Fusion Capability Brochure PDF to find out more or Contact Us.
