Grades - UV Resistance

Grades - UV Resistance

Is PE pipe affected by exposure to UV light?

PE80 and PE100 materials are normally compounded with uniformly dispersed special additives including UV stabilisers, which should protect the pipe from degradation caused by intensive Ultra Violet light. Moreover for specific applications, such as pipework above the ground, where it is known that the pipe will be subjected to UV light, the material can be compounded with carbon black or specialised pigment formulation which provides additional long-term protection.

Tests to confirm the pipe's resistance to UV light are included in many national and international standards. Typically these require pipe samples to be subjected to solar radiation, approximately equivalent to 12 or 24 months outdoor storage in temperate climates, without affecting their performance.

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