Products

Qpex RTP – Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe

Introduced to the Australian mining industry in 2021, Qpex RTP combines internal axial reinforcement with thermoplastic inner and outer walls, delivering exceptional strength and durability. Engineered to withstand high pressures, it is supplied in long-length reels or coils, minimising the need for joints and connections.

Suitable for both above-ground and underground applications, Qpex RTP is a proven alternative to steel and lined steel piping systems. Its unique design offers:

• Universal Corrosion Resistance – unaffected by harsh mining environments.
• High Abrasion Resistance – long service life even in demanding slurry and tailings duties.
• Low Friction Loss – smooth, easy-to-clean bore prevents scaling and reduces pumping costs.
• Fast & Simple Installation – long continuous lengths reduce welds, flanges, and downtime.

For vertical piping, the axial reinforcement delivers superior load handling, making it ideal for deep shaft or dewatering lines. With fewer joins, lighter handling, and rapid installation, Qpex RTP provides a high-performance, long-life solution that reduces maintenance and maximises operational efficiency.

Qpex RTP Paste Friction Loops

Qpex RTP smooth bore high pressure pipe coils are ideal for paste friction loops. When placed underground, the ends of the coil can be connected directly to the main paste line for efficient pressure reduction without any other installation. The coiled pipe has a large bend radius, which eliminates wear issues and makes it easy to clean. Sizes range from 75-150mm ID.

Qpex TuffCore pipe is designed with an internal wire reinforcement layer between thermoplastic inner and outer walls. This reinforcement increases the hoop stress, allowing higher ratings with less wall thickness and a smaller outside diameter, lowering material costs and plastic usage.

The inner pipe wall provides a substantial wear allowance without affecting or reducing performance, which extends the service life in abrasive applications.

The reinforcement layer controls expansion and lowers the thermal derating factor, maintaining dimensional stability and consistent performance in varying temperature conditions, making it ideal for aboveground mining installations.

Each production batch undergoes testing and verification to meet design and quality standards, including checks for dimensional accuracy, material integrity, and pressure performance. The service factor of TuffCore is more than twice that of plain HDPE, providing additional operating margin and reliability for demanding applications.

Specialised polymer options are also available for increased wear resistance, along with a wide range of connection types.

Qpex TuffCore with Wear Resistant Liners

Highly wear resistant POE and UHMWPE inner liners are available for Qpex TuffCore pipes to significantly extend the service life in abrasive slurry applications.

Our uniquely modified POE polymer (mPOE) has exceptional wear life, around 8-12 times better than HDPE.

UHMWPE liners are also highly wear resistant, and have a very low surface friction coefficient which prevents scaling. The wear life is approximately 3-4 times better than HDPE.

Qpex TuffCore Pipe with Coex White Outer

The coex white outer option enhances UV resistance, while minimising pipe temperature and thermal expansion. This solution is preferred for all outdoor pipe installations in mining.

Qpex TuffCore Specifications

• Pipe Sizes — DN90 – DN1200mm
• Pressures — Up to 150 Bar
• Pipe Outer — PE100
• Pipe Inner — PE100, with options for POE and UHMWPE
• Manufacturing Methods — Combined extrusion and wire overlay process
• Fluid Temperatures — -50°C to 75°C
• Connection Types — Butt Weld, EF Coupling, Flange, ACME Thread, Victaulic Coupling
• Pipe Lengths — Up to 20m long per spool
• Available Fittings — Elbows & Bends (30°, 45°, 60°, 90°), Tees/Red Tees, EF Couplings, Stub Flanges
• Certificates — Hydrostatic Pressure Test, Burst Test, Material Certificates
• Thermal Expansion Coefficient — 3.5 × 10 -5 / °C

Qpex Ultra-High Pressure Pipes (UHP) – 100 – 150 Bar 6” & 8” Sizes

Qpex TuffCore UHP, supplied in 4”, 6” and 8” sizes is designed for high pressure dewatering and paste distribution applications in underground mining. This lightweight, corrosion proof piping has a longer wear life and is smoother than steel pipe. Qpex TuffCore UHP is supplied with Victaulic style end fittings and in lengths up to 6m, along with 3D or 5D sweep bends in 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°.

Polymer lined slurry pipes are popular for tailings slurries, acidic slurry, and saline or scaling liquids.

They combine the strength of a steel pipe outer with a non-metallic inner liner that is resistant to abrasion, corrosion, and/or scale from the process fluid.

Our most popular liner material is UHMWPE – a wear resistant and smooth polymer lining that also prevents scale. Made using an interference fit process, UHMWPE liners are expansion fitted within the steel pipe to prevent uneven thermal expansion, to ensure maximum operational life.

Other liner materials include TPU, POE, Rubber, and Fluoroplastics (see page 9). Polymer lined pipes and fittings are generally supplied with prefabricated flanged ends.