The study "100 Jahre Nutzungsdauer von Rohren aus Polyethylen" by Dr. J. Hessel examines the long-term stability of polyethylene pipes for drinking water supply. It reveals that polyethylene pipes have been produced on a large scale since 1954. Reliable predictions of material properties were crucial for long-term use, with early graphical extrapolations producing similar results to mathematical-analytical ones. Today's extrapolation methods, based on ISO 9080, confirm minimum strength for 50 years at 20°C, with a scientifically validated 100-year service life for PE 80 and PE 100, considering stress cracking and thermal aging. This highlights the importance of polyethylene pipes, particularly PE 100, in ensuring a 100-year lifespan for drinking water systems.
 
 3R international (46) Heft 4/2007, Seite 242-246