PE80 MDPE
Grade
EN 12201 · GB GB/T 13663 · ISO 4427
Choose the medium-density variant (0.935–0.941 g/cm³) for small-diameter gas and water coils: more flexible, tighter coiling radius and excellent slow-crack resistance, but only 18 MPa yield.
Values for the MDPE condition
Other PE80 grades and fills
PE80 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at PE80.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDPEThis page PE80 MDPE | Choose the medium-density variant (0.935–0.941 g/cm³) for small-diameter gas and water coils: more flexible, tighter coiling radius and excellent slow-crack resistance, but only 18 MPa yield. | 18 | 27 | 800 | 56 Shore D |
Natural / uncoloured base resin | Use as feedstock for masterbatch colouring or non-outdoor parts; with no carbon black added it cannot take prolonged sunlight exposure. | 21 | 30 | 750 | 60 Shore D |
PE80 injection/fitting grade | Use for injection-moulded electrofusion couplers and tees: the higher melt index improves filling of the mould, and long-term strength is still rated MRS 8. | 22 | 28 | 600 | 62 Shore D |
What is PE80 MDPE?
PE80 MDPE is PE80 in the MDPE grade — choose the medium-density variant (0.935–0.941 g/cm³) for small-diameter gas and water coils: more flexible, tighter coiling radius and excellent slow-crack resistance, but only 18 MPa yield. PE80 MDPE has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 800% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi). PE80 MDPE has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.0339 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 800%, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.01%, better than 97% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 87% of polymer grades
- High mold shrinkage — 2.2%, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 18 MPa (2.61 ksi), worse than 82% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
PE80 MDPE properties
Typical room-temperature values for PE80 MDPE; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PE80 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PE80 MDPE has a density of 0.94 g/cm³ (0.0339 lb/in³), lighter than 77% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -110°C (-166 °F).
Mechanical14
PE80 MDPE has a yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 800% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi).
Thermal11
PE80 MDPE is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °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
PE80 MDPE 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 excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PE80 MDPE takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PE80 MDPE's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PE80 MDPE
Is PE80 easy to machine?
Use sharp high positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed with plenty of air blast for chip clearance. The material is soft and deflects under load, so avoid clamping distortion and do not specify precision tolerances.
Can PE80 be welded?
Standard butt fusion (hot plate around 210 C), electrofusion and extrusion welding all perform well. Weld only to PE of a comparable MFR class; it cannot be welded to PP or PVC.
Can PE80 be formed, bent or molded?
Single-screw pipe extrusion at 190-230 C with vacuum sizing and water cooling; pipe can be coiled and hot-bent. Fittings are injection moulded at 20-50 C mould temperature with 1.5-3% shrinkage.
What surface finishes work on PE80?
Low surface energy requires corona or flame treatment before printing or bonding. No plating; identification is normally by co-extruded colour stripes or hot marking.
PE80 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-butene / 1-hexene comonomerSCB comonomer; controls density and slow crack resistance | 0.5 – 3 | 1.5 |
| carbon blackblack pipe grades only; dispersion per ISO 18553 | 2 – 2.5 | 2.25 |
| antioxidants / stabilizershindered phenol + phosphite; OIT ≥20 min | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| pigment (blue/yellow)colour-identification grades | 0 – 1 | 0.5 |
| ethyleneethylene backbone | balance | — |
PE80 MDPE — frequently asked
What is PE80 MDPE used for?
PE80 MDPE is typically used for low-pressure gas pipe, irrigation pipe and legacy water distribution pipe. In short: legacy MRS 8 pipe grade; repair match for older networks; lower-cost PE100 alternative.
What is the yield strength of PE80 MDPE?
PE80 MDPE has a typical yield strength of 18 MPa (2.61 ksi) and a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.92 ksi) — weaker than 82% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is PE80 MDPE easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades). Use sharp high positive-rake tools, high speed and light feed with plenty of air blast for chip clearance. The material is soft and deflects under load, so avoid clamping distortion and do not specify precision tolerances.
Can PE80 MDPE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Standard butt fusion (hot plate around 210 C), electrofusion and extrusion welding all perform well. Weld only to PE of a comparable MFR class; it cannot be welded to PP or PVC.
What surface finishes work on PE80 MDPE?
Low surface energy requires corona or flame treatment before printing or bonding. No plating; identification is normally by co-extruded colour stripes or hot marking.
Can PE80 MDPE be formed, bent or molded?
Single-screw pipe extrusion at 190-230 C with vacuum sizing and water cooling; pipe can be coiled and hot-bent. Fittings are injection moulded at 20-50 C mould temperature with 1.5-3% shrinkage.
What is the maximum service temperature of PE80 MDPE?
PE80 MDPE is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F), and briefly to 80°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ISO 4427 Plastics piping systems — Polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings for water supply — ISO (2019)
- EN 12201 Plastics piping systems for water supply — Polyethylene (PE) — CEN (2011)
- ISO 12162 Thermoplastics materials for pipes — MRS classification — ISO (2009)
- PE80 pipe compound technical data sheets (Borealis, SABIC, Sinopec, Daqing) — various resin producers (2023)
- ASM Handbook — Engineering Plastics / Characterization and Failure Analysis of Plastics — ASM International (2003)
- CAMPUS polymer datasheets (HDPE pipe grades) — CAMPUS (2023)
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.