Static electricity can become a concern when liquids, gases, powders or other materials move through conventional plastic pipework. Most thermoplastics are electrically non-conductive, so under certain process conditions static charge can accumulate rather than finding a route to earth.
Electrically conductive pipes are made from specialist thermoplastic materials developed to help control this build-up. Conductive polypropylene and polyethylene systems may be considered in process plants, solids handling, suction systems and potentially hazardous environments where electrostatic discharge needs to be taken into account. The pipework must still form part of a properly designed system, with suitable components and appropriate earthing or grounding.
What Are Electrically Conductive Pipes?
Conductive pipes are a type of thermoplastic pipe – made from certain special grades of plastic that have been tweaked to let electrical current flow.
This is a big departure from regular plastic pipe. When you go with a standard pipe like PE or PP, it acts as an insulator, not a conductor. But when you opt for conductive grades the material has actually been engineered to conduct electricity.
The goal of all this is to give static electricity a path to travel through the pipes so it can safely get earthed when the system’s properly wired up.
And it’s not just the pipes you need to think about. Fittings, bends, reducers, tees, flanges and all the other bits of the system need to be considered too if you want to ensure that there’s no break in the electrical circuit.
IPS has been a supplier of conductive piping systems from AGRU – typically out of conductive polypropylene pipework systems and polyethylene – together with compatible fittings and pre-made semi-finished bits.
Why Can Static Electricity Be a Risk in Plastic Pipework?
Static electricity can develop in many ways. In pipework, one possible cause is contact between the pipe surface and the material moving through it.
Because standard plastic is a poor electrical conductor, the resulting charge may not have an easy route to earth.
How Static Charge Builds Up in Pipework
A liquid, gas, powder or solid moving through pipework can create electrical charge through contact with the inner surface.
The amount produced will vary from one process to another.
Factors can include:
- the conductivity of the medium
- flow velocity
- turbulence
- the pipe material
- pipe diameter
- solids or particles within the flow
- operating temperature
- surrounding conditions
Dry materials and low-conductivity media can be particularly relevant here because they allow static charges to linger around rather than just blowing off instantly. What needs to be considered is the process in its entirety really, not just what kind of pipe you’re working with.
What Happens When Static Charge Cannot Dissipate?
When you’ve got an insulating material on board, electrical charge can end up lingering on the pipe or somewhere else in the system. If enough charge accumulates, it may eventually discharge to another conductive object or to earth.
In many installations this will not create a serious issue. In others, particularly those handling sensitive, flammable or volatile media, it may become an important design consideration.
Why Static Discharge Matters in Hazardous Environments
The main thing to worry about is if an electrical discharge could end up being an ignition source. This can be a concern in areas with flammable gas, vapour, liquids or combustible dust floating around.
explosion-proof rooms, process plants and systems handing around solids or aggressive media are all scenarios where you want conductive PP and PE piping.
Conductive pipe can help reduce the accumulation of static electricity, but it does not make a hazardous installation safe by itself. The wider design and earthing arrangements still matter.
How Do Electrically Conductive Plastic Pipes Reduce Static Risk?
The material provides a conductive route through the pipework.
When that route remains continuous and is connected correctly to earth, accumulated electrical charge can be dissipated rather than remaining isolated on the plastic surface.
That is the basic function of conductive pipe.
However, simply replacing a standard plastic pipe with a conductive one is not a complete static-control strategy.
The installation may also need to consider:
- conductive fittings and system components
- joints between pipe sections
- electrical continuity
- bonding
- earthing or grounding
- testing after installation
- manufacturer requirements
- site-specific requirements
Electrically Conductive Pipe Materials Available
The original IPS range included three conductive material types: PP-el, PEHD-el and PPR-s-el. These covered conductive polypropylene, conductive polyethylene and a flame-retardant conductive polypropylene option.
AGRU’s current conductive pipe and fitting range uses PE 100-el ESD (conductive polyethylene) and PP-s-el ESD (flame-retardant conductive polypropylene).
PP-el Electrically Conductive Polypropylene
PP-el is an electrically conductive form of polypropylene. It combines the chemical resistance associated with polypropylene with a material structure designed to conduct and dissipate charge.
This can be useful in chemical and industrial process systems where PP is suitable for the medium but conventional electrically insulating pipe is not ideal for the application. Typical uses can include process pipework, chemical handling, tanks and extraction systems.
The material still needs to be checked for the required pressure, temperature and chemical exposure. Conductive properties do not replace the normal process requirements placed on the pipe.
PE 100-el ESD Electrically Conductive Polyethylene
PEHD-el is a polyethylene material that’s perfect for jobs that need the best of both worlds: the practical properties of PE alongside electrical conductivity. Polyethylene pipework systems is used all over the place in industrial systems and for good reason, given its great corrosion resistance, toughness and flexibility.
But what happens when static gets out of control? Adding a conductive grade takes it to the next level and can open up all sorts of possibilities including dealing with rough solids handling, dealing with aggressive chemicals in pipes, and even in mining and industrial process systems.
When bringing a project to market it’s always a good idea to check in with AGRU to make sure you’re using the right product name.
PP-s-el ESD Flame-Retardant and Electrically Conductive Polypropylene
PP-s-el ESD is AGRU’s polypropylene grade combining electrical conductivity with flame-retardant properties. That extra property separates it from standard conductive PP.
It may be considered where fire behaviour is also part of the material requirement, particularly in industrial areas where static control is necessary. As with any specialist plastic, the complete technical data should be reviewed against the operating temperature, chemical medium, pressure and environment before use.
Electrically Conductive Pipes, Fittings and System Components
A conductive piping system needs more than lengths of pipe.
The historic AGRU range supplied through IPS included:
- pipes
- fittings
- flanges
- tees
- bends
- reducers
- semi-finished products
The original IPS article also notes that these components were offered across the conductive material range.
Having compatible components is important because the required conductive route should not stop at the first bend, tee or reducer. This is why pipework should be specified as a system rather than selecting the pipe material first and treating the remaining parts separately.
The earlier IPS range included pipe sizes from 32–400 mm and pressure ratings from PN3.2 to PN10, with injection-moulded fittings available in sizes up to 315 mm.
Writer note: These figures come from the existing 2013 IPS article and should be checked against the current AGRU range before publication.
Where Are Electrically Conductive Pipes Used?
Electrically conductive plastic pipe is usually considered where plastic already suits the process, but static electricity introduces another requirement. That can occur in several types of industrial systems.
Chemical and Process Plants
Chemical plants make extensive use of thermoplastic pipework because of its resistance to corrosion and aggressive media. Some processes also involve liquids, gases or solids capable of generating static charge.
Conductive PP or PE can be considered where both issues need to be addressed. The chemical itself remains a major part of the selection process. Concentration, operating temperature, pressure and flow should all be checked before choosing a material.
Hazardous and Potentially Explosive Areas
Static control becomes more important where flammable material may be present. An electrostatic discharge in the wrong atmosphere can provide an ignition source. For this reason, IPS has historically identified piping and tanks in explosion-proof rooms as an application for electrically conductive PP and PE systems.
The pipe is only one part of that protection. Installation, electrical continuity and earthing still need to be designed for the site.
Solids, Powders and Bulk Material Handling
Powders and other dry solids can generate considerable static charge as they move through pipework. Individual particles repeatedly contact the pipe’s inner surface, while changes in direction and flow can add further movement.
Conductive piping may be considered where this accumulation of static electricity needs to be reduced. The type of solid, its moisture content, flow speed and the wider system design will all influence the requirement.
Suction and Exhaust Systems
IPS also identifies suction and exhaust piping as an application for conductive systems.
These systems may carry dust, particles, vapour or process gases rather than clean air alone.
Where the transported material can create an electrostatic hazard, conductive thermoplastic pipework provides an option while retaining the corrosion resistance of plastic.
Tanks and Container Connections
Conductive pipe can also be used when linking tanks and containers, another application listed in the existing IPS technical information. Here, the pipe should not be looked at in isolation.
The tank, valves, fittings, connections and grounding arrangement can all affect how electrical charge moves through the system. Material compatibility with the fluid being transferred also remains essential.
Mining and Waste Treatment Applications
Mining is another established application for conductive plastic pipe, as are degassing systems used in waste disposal facilities. Both can involve difficult operating conditions.
There may be gas, aggressive media, solids or abrasive material moving through the system. PE or PP may offer useful corrosion resistance and practical strength, while the conductive grade addresses the additional static requirement. The final choice depends on the particular process.
Electrically Conductive vs Standard Plastic Pipe
There is no need to specify a conductive plastic pipe where the process does not require one.
Standard thermoplastics remain suitable for a wide range of industrial systems. Conductive grades are used where electrical behaviour adds another requirement to the material selection.
| Feature | Standard Thermoplastic Pipe | Electrically Conductive Thermoplastic Pipe |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical behaviour | Generally insulating | Designed to conduct/dissipate electrical charge |
| Static charge management | Limited | Designed for controlled dissipation |
| Chemical resistance | Material dependent | Material dependent |
| Hazardous-area suitability | Application dependent | Can form part of an appropriately designed static-control system |
| Earthing considerations | Application dependent | Critical to conductive-system performance |
A conductive grade is therefore not automatically the better pipe.
Its value comes from using the right material in an application where static charge genuinely needs to be controlled.
Earthing and Installation of Conductive Piping Systems
Conductive material needs a route to earth. Without that route, simply having an electrically conductive pipe does not guarantee that charge will be removed from the system as intended. The installation therefore needs to consider continuity between pipes, fittings and other conductive parts.
Suitable earthing or grounding should then be provided in accordance with the pipe manufacturer’s instructions and the requirements of the project. Testing may also be needed after installation to confirm that the finished system performs as intended.
Where the pipework is used in a potentially explosive area, the relevant site and hazardous-area requirements also need to be followed.
Need Help Specifying Electrically Conductive Pipework?
Different processes place very different demands on pipework. IPS Flow Systems can help engineers, contractors and plant operators review conductive thermoplastic options against the chemical being handled, operating pressure, temperature, flow conditions and surrounding environment.
FAQs About Electrically Conductive Pipes
What is an electrically conductive pipe?
An electrically conductive pipe is made from a thermoplastic material that conducts electricity. The key difference from the normal plastic pipe is that it’s made to conduct an electrical charge. Unlike conventional plastic pipe which tends to insulate rather than conduct electricity. When installed properly, conductive pipes can allow static charge to actually dissipate out of the system
Can static electricity build up in plastic pipes?
Yes. Static charge can develop when certain liquids, gases, powders or solid materials move through non-conductive plastic pipework. The amount of charge that builds up will all depend on what’s flowing through the pipe, plus the flow conditions, how turbulent the flow is, what the pipe is like on the outside, and the bigger picture of what’s going on in the process – so it’s not the same for every plastic piping system.
What is the difference between conductive and anti-static pipe?
Different materials have different electrical resistance properties, some are designed to limit charge build-up while others have a clearly defined path for letting the charge leak out.
If you need a specific level of conductivity or resistance then you should check the manufacturer’s electrical data.
Do electrically conductive pipes need to be earthed?
A conductive pipe is usually part of an earthed system wherever you need to get electrical charge out of the system. The installation also needs to maintain the required continuity between conductive components. Earthing arrangements should follow the manufacturer’s guidance and any relevant site or project requirements.
What materials are available for conductive plastic piping?
The current IPS conductive range from AGRU includes PE 100-el ESD conductive polyethylene and PP-s-el ESD flame-retardant conductive polypropylene. As the original IPS information dates from 2013, the latest AGRU terminology, material range, dimensions and availability should be confirmed when specifying a new system.
Where are conductive plastic pipes used?
Typical applications include process plants, hazardous areas, solids handling, suction and exhaust pipework, aggressive-media systems, tank and container connections, mining and degassing systems in waste facilities. The right application depends on both the static risk and the normal requirements placed on the pipe, including pressure, temperature and chemical resistance.
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