NewNew Products
Products

AQUALEX-V/AQUALEX-VR Polyarylate Fiber-Reinforced
Polyethylene Pipe

1.

INTRODUCTION

Polyethylene protection layer

Furukawa Electric has been selling the AQUALEX series,
which are the polyethylene pipes for submarine water
conveyance, water supply, and sewerage. As poly­
ethylene pipes are superior to existing metal pipes in thefeatures like lightweight, corrosion resistance, flexibility
and earthquake resistance, and also enable shortening ofwork period by providing long length, the range of theirapplication is extending.
The AQUALEX–V and –VR, polyarylate fiber–reinforced
polyethylene pipes, which take advantage of the charac­
teristics of polyethylene pipes and upgraded inner pres­sure resistance at the same time, have recently beendeveloped. As these products have been registered as
the “Emergency Equipment for Tunnels” in the New
Technology Information System (NETIS) of the Ministry ofLand, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, they havegood prospects to be adopted in a great number of new
and existing tunnels instead of existing metal pipes.

Table 1

Polyarylate ﬁber-reinforced layer

Polyethylene inner pipe

Figure 1Structure of AQUALEX-V.

Polyethylene tape winding protection layer
Polyarylate ﬁber-reinforced layer
Polyethylene inner pipe (black layer)
Polyethylene inner pipe (white layer)

Figure 2

Structure of AQUALEX-VR.

Standard specification for AQUALEX with 1.1 MPa of maximum allowable pressure at 20˚C.
Model Number

AQX–1.1V

AQX–1.1VR–50–75–100–150–200–250–300

Overall diameter (mm)

68.0

95.6

131.3

185.9

256.6

321.9

362.6

Inner pipe inner diameter (mm) (for reference)

53.1

76.0

105.8

152.3

210.8

265.5

299.1

Inner pipe thickness (mm)

4.7

6.7

9.2

13.3

18.4

23.2

26.1

Approximate mass (ca. kg/m)

1.3

2.4

4.4

8.3

15.7

24.4

30.8

Water-filled mass (ca. kg/m)

3.5

7.0

13.2

26.5

50.6

79.7

101.0

Allowable minimum bend radius (m)

1.0

1.4

1.9

13.5*

18.8*

23.7*

26.7*

Protection layer* Including joint.

Table 2V type: Polyethylene sheath VR type: Polyethylene tape windingStandard specification for AQUALEX with 1.6 MPa of maximum allowable pressure at 20˚C.
Model Number

AQX–1.6VR

AQX–1.6V–50–75–100–150–200–250–300

Overall diameter (mm)

68.4

95.9

132.1

186.9

257.8

324.5

364.6

Inner pipe inner diameter (mm) (for reference)

53.1

76.0

105.8

152.3

210.8

265.5

299.1

Inner pipe thickness (mm)

4.7

6.7

9.2

13.3

18.4

23.2

26.1

Approximate mass (ca. kg/m)

1.3

2.5

4.5

8.4

15.9

25.0

31.3

Water-filled mass (ca. kg/m)

3.5

7.0

13.3

26.6

50.8

80.4

101.5

Allowable minimum bend radius (m)

1.0

1.4

1.9

13.5*

18.8*

23.7*

26.7*

Protection layer* Including joint.

V type: Polyethylene sheath VR type: Polyethylene tape winding

The characteristic values in Tables 1 and 2 are typical values, not guaranteed values.

Furukawa Review, No. 36

200922

S183PM Ⅱ /S184PM High-End Fusion Splicer

2.

STRUCTURE OF AQUALEX

The AQUALEX–V and –VR are constituted of a high densi­
ty polyethylene inner pipe which is compliant to ISO4427
with a polyarylate fiber inner pressure–resistant layer anda polyethylene protection layer on the surface.
Polyarylate fiber, which is optimal for a reinforced layer
with its high tensile fracture strength and low hygroscopic
nature compared with other high strength fibers such as
an aramid fiber, is adopted for the inner reinforcement
layer.
And they can also be used as outdoor exposed pipingwith its injury resistance and weather resistance, because,
for the AQUALEX-V, black polyethylene having an estab­lished track-record as a sheath material for cables isused, and for the AQUALEX–VR, a polyethylene tape thathas proven itself as a corrosion proof tape for metal pipes
is used as the protection layer of the outermost layer.

3.

FEATURES OF AQUALEX

Taking advantage of their long lengths, the AQUALEX
offer smaller number of jointing parts, shortened work
period, and reduced cost. In addition, they exhibit excel­
lent construction performance in the field where laying
operation is difficult, thanks to their lightweight and good
flexibility. And they are maintenance–free after the layingdown because they have good corrosion resistance.
a) Shortening work periods
The AQUALEX–V can be supplied in long lengths.
Continuous laying of the long pipes allows for smaller
number of connection parts, shortened work period,and reduced costs.

Figure 4

Supply in straight pipe configuration (AQX−VR).

b) Lightweight
The inner pipe is made of polyethylene and is light­
weight.
(For example, AQX–1.1V–75 weighs not more than
one quarter its counterpart made of cast iron.)c) Flexibility
As they are flexible, they can be laid down without
using bent pipes and so on, as long as the bent radi­
us is within the allowable bend radius. This good flex­
ibility also contributes to earthquake resistance.
d) Corrosion resistance
As metals are not used, they are free from corrosion
and are maintenance–free.

4.

JOINT OF AQUALEX

There are two ways to joint the AQUALEX.
1) EF jointing method
This is a method to joint the pipes by feeding electri­
cal power using a controller to a special joint having
heating wires inside, thereby heating the joint.
2) Butt fusion jointing method
This is a method to joint the pipes, using a special
fusion splicer, by heating the cut ends of the pipes
and butting them.

5.

APPLICABLE FIELDS OF AQUALEX

As the AQUALEX have various features as describedabove, they can be applied for a broad range of purpos­es.
･ Fire fighting piping in tunnels･ Waterworks and simple waterworks･ Sewerage and agricultural water･ High–pressure water conveyance and service･ Various water conveyance and service

Figure 3

Supply in coil configuration (AQX−V).

As the emergency equipment for tunnels, theAQUALEX–V and –VR have been registered in the experi­mental technologies of the New Technology Information
System (NETIS), which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism has been implementing to shareand provide the information related with new technologies
so as to promote application of new technologies. (regis­try № KK–080048–A)
The AQUALEX–V and –VR are suitable for use in tunnel

Furukawa Review, No. 36

200923

S183PM Ⅱ /S184PM High-End Fusion Splicer

emergency equipment as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

6. CONCLUSIONSThe AQUALEX–V and –VR are the pipes which takeadvantage of the excellent features of polyethylene pipes
and upgraded inner pressure resistance at the same time.
Besides, the AQUALEX series has a lineup of antifreeze
treated pipes for cold areas. We appreciate your contact
to the following.
For more information, please contact:
Lifeline Solutions Gr., Sales Promotion Dept.,
Pipe Products Dept, Industrial Products Div.
Energy and Industrial Products Co.
TEL：+81–3–3286–3083 FAX：+81–3–3286–3454
or our website at:
http://www.furukawa.co.jp/aqx/english/index.htm

Figure 5

Figure 6

Installation in tunnel as fire−fighting piping.

Application in tunnel as emergency equipment.

Furukawa Review, No. 36

200924