Light weight
Weholite is an excellent choice because of its light weight. Installation is quick and
reliable, with the pipes easily transported to the jobsite, even in poor ground
conditions. Light pipe materials have a distinct advantage for foundation work,
because Weholite does not apply as much load to its bedding as do heavier pipe
materials.
Low pipe weight reduces costs and shortens the installation time, and owing to light
weight, Weholite pipes do not require heavy equipment for laying a pipeline or for
unloading the pipes at the construction site.
Impact Resistant
Weholite is manufactured from HDPE which has a high resistance to impact at low
temperatures, even down to -40°C. This means it will not sustain damage during
handling or transportation when there are extremely adverse weather conditions.
Reliability & Durability
Weholite pipes have both outstanding reliability & durability. They offer a corrosion-
free installation, have excellent chemical resistance and have superior abrasion-
resistant qualities, compared to traditional pipe materials, which gives them both
reliability and durability. These claims can be substantiated by the fact that PE
pipes have been used extensively in the mining industry for many years. Installed
correctly, PE pipework systems can provide an effective working life in excess of
100 years.
Weholite pipes are also resistant to changing atmospheric conditions and they can
be installed and transported both in low (i.e., temperatures below freezing point)
and high (i.e., hot tropical and desert temperature conditions) ambient
temperatures. This reliability means that, Weholite pipes are used worldwide
regardless of extreme climatic conditions.
Hydraulics
Weholite pipes are suitable for gravity and low-pressure applications. The corrosive
and abrasion resistant properties of HDPE provide a very durable pipe. Flow rates
for Weholite can be calculated using Colebrook White formula, with a Roughness
Coefficient (k s ) of 0.03 mm (Manning’s 0.009). Polyethylene does not readily bond
with or adhere to other materials. Siltation and sliming do not occur in the way they
do in traditional materials, and long-term flow characteristics remain constant.
Roughness Coefficient (Ks)
The Roughness Coefficient (k s ) for the Colebrook formula of 0.03mm and the
Manning’s value (n) of 0.009 have been obtained by full scale field hydraulic
measurements undertaken by the Independent Enterprise of Water Supply and
Sewage, Civil Engineering Department of the Technical University Swietkzyska,
Poland under the direction of Professor Andrezej Kuliczkowski, and separately, by
The Hydro Research Centre at Cardiff University in South Wales. These test reports
are available upon request.
Chemical Resistant
For all practical purposes, Weholite pipes are chemically inert within the normal
range of use. They are resistant to most chemical compounds unlike pipes made of
conventional pipe construction materials (e.g., metal and concrete) that easily
corrode and age when carrying or exposed to corrosive substances.
The resistance, of course, of Weholite pipes to chemical compounds has like all
structural material certain limits that are subject to temperature, liquid
concentration and working pressure.
If there are any doubts about the chemical resistance properties of Weholite pipes,
please contact us.
More information on the chemical resistance of PE is given in ISO 10358.
Abrasion Resistant
Weholite pipe material has the following abrasion resistant characteristics.
In the Darmstadt abrasion test (DIN v. 19534, part 2), samples of commonly used
pipe materials are filled with a mixture of sand and water, and then subjected to a
specified number of rocking cycles. The thickness of the abraded pipe material was
measured at regular intervals during this test and the result indicates, in the case
of polyethylene (PE) pipe materials, an exceptionally high abrasion resistance.
For example, on the graph 400,000 load cycles indicate 0.3mm of abraded material
for PE pipes, whereas fibre glass reinforced pipe abraded material is 6-8 times
higher. In general HDPE pipes are highly resistance to abrasion. This is because its
molecular composition creates a “trampoline” response when impacted by tumbling
aggregate such as grit and solids.
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) has the highest resistance to abrasion of all of
the pipe-manufacturing materials.
Micro-Organism Resistance
Weholite is resistant to all means of deterioration or destruction that exists in
nature, from animals, fungi, bacteria and insects, to acidic soils, atmospheric
corrosion, etc.
Physiologically Safe
Weholite pipe is physiologically safe when used for liquids or other food related
products that are intended for either human or animal consumption. Weholite pipe
has a smooth inner surface that neither absorbs chemicals from, nor dissipates
contaminants to the contained liquids.
Temperature Range
Weholite can be used in extreme temperature ranges as stated below:
- 80°C for short-term use
- 45°C for long-term use
- -40°C for long-term use
Carbon Credentials
Weholite can contribute significantly to a reduction in carbon footprint. This is due to
the lightweight, which minimises transportation emissions. Furthermore, due to the
ease of construction, there is a reduction in installation time and a substantial
further reduction in carbon emissions.
Using Weholite Eliminates System Infiltration
Infiltration is defined as storm or groundwater that indirectly enters the system
through cracks and failed joints in pipes, lateral connections and manholes.
Infiltration is characterised by an increase in sewerage flow during rain events
followed by a much slower return to average dry weather flow (AWDF). In areas of
high groundwater, the ADWF may be constantly elevated due to this issue.
Infiltration is a major problem facing water authorities and local communities across
East Africa. Costs run into millions of dollars in managing and treating unwanted
water. Not only that, but when water moves, soil and sediment move with it;
entering sewers and stormwater systems; which, can cause formation of voids and
subsequent ground subsidence as well as surface damage to roads and pavements,
not to mention flooding.
UV-Resistant
The raw material used in the manufactures of Weholite pipes and fittings contains
at least 2% carbon black content, which has an outstanding resistance to ultra-violet radiation. The black colour has sacrificial UV stabilizers that absorb UV energy
to protect the material from UV deterioration.
Weholite pipes can be stored or installed in the open and above ground and be
exposed to continual UV radiation without aging or having any detrimental effect on
its unprotected surface.
Besides UV stabilizers, Weholite pipe products have also been compounded with
antioxidants and thermal stabilizers to protect them against deterioration from
exposure to weathering effects.
Handling and Installation
Installing Weholite pipework is simple and easy. Important factors for installation
are the lightweight of the pipe, ease of handling, transporting to the jobsite and
method of installation. Longer pipe lengths speed up the installation time, reduce
the number of joints and help reduce overall installation costs.
