PE-RT TYPE-I
Grade · default condition
ASTM F2769 · GB GB/T 28799 · ISO 22391
TYPE-I = pE-RT Type I
Default for underfloor heating loops and general hot and cold water lines: soft, easy to coil and with a wide processing window, rated for 70 °C long-term service.
Values for the TYPE-I condition
Other PE-RT grades and fills
PE-RT is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PE-RT.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TYPE-IDefaultThis page PE-RT Type I | Default for underfloor heating loops and general hot and cold water lines: soft, easy to coil and with a wide processing window, rated for 70 °C long-term service. | 18 | 24 | 750 | 56 Shore D |
PE-RT with EVOH oxygen-barrier layer | Use in closed heating and underfloor systems that must stop oxygen diffusion and the resulting corrosion of metal components, meeting DIN 4726; the multilayer wall is rated to 70 °C. | 18 | 23 | 550 | 57 Shore D |
PE-RT black / UV-stabilized | Choose for outdoor, buried or sun-exposed pipe and fittings, where the ≥2 % carbon black loading gives UV-ageing resistance; the black pigment rules out colour coding of circuits. | 19 | 25 | 700 | 58 Shore D |
Heat-stabilized / chlorine-resistant grade | Choose for hot-water systems with high residual chlorine or disinfectant, where the high-antioxidant package extends pipe life per ASTM F2769 / NSF chlorine class up to 80 °C. | 19 | 25 | 700 | 58 Shore D |
PE-RT Type II | Choose the high-density bimodal resin when higher design stress, thinner walls or 70–80 °C continuous service is needed, as in large-diameter hot water and heating mains; less flexible. | 21 | 28 | 700 | 61 Shore D |
PE-RT/Al/PE-RT aluminium-composite pipe compound | Pick for surface-mounted hot-water and underfloor runs needing bend-and-hold shaping, zero oxygen permeation and low linear expansion; the aluminium core raises modulus to 3.5 GPa. | 30 | 50 | 25 | 60 Shore D |
What is PE-RT TYPE-I?
PE-RT TYPE-I is PE-RT in the TYPE-I grade — default for underfloor heating loops and general hot and cold water lines: soft, easy to coil and with a wide processing window, rated for 70 °C long-term service. PE-RT TYPE-I has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 750% and the elastic modulus is 0.8 GPa (0.116 Msi). PE-RT TYPE-I has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.0338 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 750%, better than 99% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.1 kg CO₂/kg, better than 94% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2%, worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 70°C (158 °F), worse than 77% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
PE-RT TYPE-I properties
Typical room-temperature values for PE-RT TYPE-I; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PE-RT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PE-RT TYPE-I has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.0338 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F).
Mechanical15
PE-RT TYPE-I has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 750% and the elastic modulus is 0.8 GPa (0.116 Msi).
Thermal11
PE-RT TYPE-I is rated for continuous service to 70°C (158 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 180 µm/m·K (100 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PE-RT TYPE-I is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 91% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PE-RT TYPE-I takes about 80 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PE-RT TYPE-I's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PE-RT TYPE-I
Is PE-RT easy to machine?
Turning, milling and drilling are possible, but the material is soft with high elastic recovery: use sharp high positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air blast for chips, and allow for clamping distortion and more than 2% post-machining spring-back.
Can PE-RT be welded?
Butt fusion, socket fusion, electrofusion and hot-air extrusion welding all apply at roughly 200-230 C, which is the core advantage over PEX. Type I and Type II and other PE pipe can in principle be fused together, but qualify the procedure first.
Can PE-RT be formed, bent or molded?
Single-screw pipe extrusion at 200-230 C melt with vacuum sizing and water cooling, or injection-moulded fittings at 20-50 C mould temperature with 1.5-3% shrinkage. Cold bend radius down to 5xD; allow for creep under sustained high temperature.
What surface finishes work on PE-RT?
Low surface energy (about 31 mN/m) means corona or flame treatment before printing, bonding or coating. No protective coating is required; marking is normally ink-jet coding plus co-extruded colour stripes.
PE-RT chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| 1-octene (comonomer)some grades use 1-hexene; SCB distribution forms tie molecules | 2 – 8 | 4 |
| antioxidant / heat stabilizerhindered phenol plus phosphite blend | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| carbon black ( / )outdoor/black compounds only | 2 – 2.6 | 2.3 |
| pigmentwhite/orange/red masterbatch | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| ethylenebackbone monomer unit | ≥ 92 (balance) | — |
PE-RT TYPE-I — frequently asked
What is PE-RT TYPE-I used for?
PE-RT TYPE-I is typically used for radiant floor heating pipe, hot water plumbing pipe and district heating supply pipe. In short: fusion-weldable PEX alternative; hot-water rated polyethylene; coilable, 5xD cold bend.
What is the yield strength of PE-RT TYPE-I?
PE-RT TYPE-I has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PE-RT TYPE-I easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Turning, milling and drilling are possible, but the material is soft with high elastic recovery: use sharp high positive-rake tools, high speed, light feed and air blast for chips, and allow for clamping distortion and more than 2% post-machining spring-back.
Can PE-RT TYPE-I be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Butt fusion, socket fusion, electrofusion and hot-air extrusion welding all apply at roughly 200-230 C, which is the core advantage over PEX. Type I and Type II and other PE pipe can in principle be fused together, but qualify the procedure first.
What surface finishes work on PE-RT TYPE-I?
Low surface energy (about 31 mN/m) means corona or flame treatment before printing, bonding or coating. No protective coating is required; marking is normally ink-jet coding plus co-extruded colour stripes.
Can PE-RT TYPE-I be formed, bent or molded?
Single-screw pipe extrusion at 200-230 C melt with vacuum sizing and water cooling, or injection-moulded fittings at 20-50 C mould temperature with 1.5-3% shrinkage. Cold bend radius down to 5xD; allow for creep under sustained high temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of PE-RT TYPE-I?
PE-RT TYPE-I is rated for continuous use to about 70°C (158 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PE-RT TYPE-I and PE-RT AL-COMP?
TYPE-I is the default condition — default for underfloor heating loops and general hot and cold water lines: soft, easy to coil and with a wide processing window, rated for 70 °C long-term service. AL-COMP: pick for surface-mounted hot-water and underfloor runs needing bend-and-hold shaping, zero oxygen permeation and low linear expansion; the aluminium core raises modulus to 3.5 GPa. Yield strength is 18 MPa in TYPE-I versus 30 MPa in AL-COMP.
Sources
- ISO 22391-1/-2 Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water — Polyethylene of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT) — ISO (2009)
- ASTM F2769 Polyethylene of Raised Temperature (PE-RT) Plastic Hot- and Cold-Water Tubing and Distribution Systems — ASTM (2022)
- PE-RT pipe resin technical datasheets (Dow DOWLEX / SK Chemicals / LG Chem / PE-RT) (2024)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2 — Engineering Plastics (Polyethylene section) — ASM International (1988)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PE-RT / HDPE pipe grades — CWFG (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.