FAQs to UHMWPE pipes for mining slurry transport

31 Jul.,2025

When it comes to UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) pipes in mining slurry transport, industry professionals, engineers, and procurement teams often ask several key questions before selecting or implementing these pipes. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs): 

 

When it comes to UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) pipes in mining slurry transport, industry professionals, engineers, and procurement teams often ask several key questions before selecting or implementing these pipes. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs): 

 

Performance & Material Properties

1.How does UHMWPE compare to HDPE and steel in terms of abrasion resistance?

 

UHMWPE typically offers 5–7 times higher abrasion resistance than steel and 3–5 times better than HDPE. 

Dragon UHMWPE can offer tested results between UHMWPE and HDPE pipes regarding abrasive wear.

 

2.What is the pressure rating of UHMWPE pipes?

 

In general, UHMWPE pipes have moderate pressure ratings (typically 0.6–2.0 MPa) and are more suitable for low to medium pressure slurry applications. 

When it comes to calculation, according to QB/T2668, PN=2xdesign stress 10Mpa / (SDR-1).

Uhmwpe pipe pressure holding capacity is determined by its OD outer diameter and WT wall thickness.

When operation pressure required is above than 3Mpa and usually the calculated WT of uhmwpe pipe is above than 35mm, client usually go to UHMWPE lined steel option for a cost-effective choice.

When the operation with fluid in higher temperature, pipeline designer should taken the temperature coefficient into consideration.

 

3.What is the maximum operating temperature for UHMWPE pipes?

 

Generally, UHMWPE can handle -269°C to +80°C, but performance decreases as temperatures rise above 60°C. 

 

4.Are UHMWPE pipes chemically resistant?

 

Yes. UHMWPE has excellent chemical resistance, especially to acids, alkalis, and saltwater — ideal for corrosive mining slurries.

Installation & Handling

 

5.Can UHMWPE pipes be welded or fused like HDPE?

 

No. UHMWPE cannot be fused in the same way as HDPE. Connections are typically made using flanges, mechanical joints, or clamping systems.

When at mining tailings pipeline application, uhmwpe pipes are connected by steel flanges. Different as HDPE pipe, UHMWPE pipe does not have a seperate stub end, it has flanging stub which is made by heating and flanging to uhmwpe pipe body end directly, you may understand it as part of pipe body. It remains the same properties with uhmwpe pipe body itself.

 

6.Are UHMWPE pipes flexible or rigid?

 

They are more rigid than HDPE and less flexible, so they require careful alignment during installation.

 

7.What are the pipe joining methods available?

 

Common joining options include flanged joints, compression couplings, and steel backing rings.

 

Field Use & Suitability

8.How do UHMWPE pipes perform in extreme environments like deserts or high altitudes (e.g., in Chile)?

Uhmwpe pipes are made by extrusion to uhmwpe resin mixed with carbon black and other additives, with higher anti-UV, anti-weathering performance than common HDPE pipes. UHMWPE pipes resist extreme cold weather without cracking or degradation to its properties.

 

9.Are UHMWPE pipes suitable for long-distance slurry transport?

 

Uhmwpe pipe can be used for medium-length pipelines but might not be suitable for very long, high-pressure lines unless reinforced or used with pumping stations.

Uhmwpe lined steel pipe is the option for high pressure pipelines.

 

10.What is the expected lifespan of a UHMWPE pipe in a mining slurry application?

 

Depending on slurry composition and operating conditions, and the design wear allowance to pipe wall thickness, the lifespan can be 15–25 years.

 

Cost & Economics

11.Are UHMWPE pipes more expensive than HDPE or steel?

 

Yes, upfront cost is higher than HDPE, but lower maintenance and longer lifespan can offset this over time, especially in high-abrasion settings.

 

12.What are the maintenance requirements?

 

Minimal maintenance due to self-lubricating and non-scaling surface, but joints and supports still need regular inspection.

Suitability Assessment

 

13.What types of slurries are best suited for UHMWPE pipes?

 

Ideal for highly abrasive, corrosive, and viscous slurries, such as:

 

Copper tailings

 

Iron ore fines

 

Phosphate or gold slurries

 

14. Can UHMWPE pipes be used in buried applications?

 

Yes, but they require proper bedding and protection due to rigidity and potential expansion issues.

 

Here's a comparison table of UHMWPE, HDPE, steel, and rubber-lined steel pipes for mining slurry transport based on key criteria:

Pipe Material Comparison Matrix-Mining slurry applications:

Criteria

UHMWPE

HDPE

Steel

Rubber-Lined Steel

Abrasion resistance

★★★excellent

★★Good

Fair

★★★very good

Chemical resistance

★★★★excellent

★★★★excellent

Poor

★★★Good

Pressure rating

★★low-medium

★★low-medium

★★★★High

★★★★High

UV resistance

★★★Good

★★varies by grade

★★★★excellent

★★★★excellent

Temperature range

-269~80℃)

★★

-60~80℃)

★★★

-50~400℃)

★★

-20~80℃)

Joining methods

Flanges / mechanical joints

Butt / Electrofusion welds

Welded / Flanged

Welded / Flanged

Internal Friction / Flow

Very low friction

Low friction

Higher friction

medium

Maintenance needs

Very low

low

High

medium

Typical use case

Highly abrasive, corrosive slurries

General slurry and tailings

Long high-pressure pipelines

Abrasive + high pressure pipelines

 

 

Recommendations by Use Case

Scenario

Recommended material

Short-medium length, high-abrasion pipeline

UHMWPE or Rubber lined steel

General-purpose tailings pipeline (low pressure)

HDPE

Long-distance, high-pressure slurry transport

Steel or Rubber lined steel, UHMWPE lined steel

Corrosive + abrasive slurry (e.g. acidic tailings)

UHMWPE

Remote, hard-to-maintain locations

UHMWPE or HDPE