Abstract: A multimodal polymer composition for pipes is disclosed as well as a pipes made thereof. The polymer is a multimodal polyethylene with a density of 0.930-0.965 g/cm3, and a viscosity at a shear stress of 747 Pa (&eegr;747 Pa) of at least 650 Pa.s, said multimodal polyethylene comprising a low molecular weight (LMW) ethylene homopolymer fraction and a high molecular weight (HMW) ethylene copolymer fraction, said HMW fraction having a weight ratio of the LMW fraction to the HMW fraction of (35-55):(65-45). Preferably, the multimodal polyethylene has a viscosity at a shear stress of 2.7 kPa (&eegr;2.7 kPa) of 260-450 kPa.s; and a shear thinning index (SHI) defined as the ratio of the viscosities at shear stresses of 2.7 and 210 kPa, respectively, of SHI27/210=50-150, and a storage modulus (G′) at a loss modulus (G″) of 5 kPa, of G′5 kPa≧3000 Pa. The pipe is made of the multimodal polymer composition and withstands a stress of 8.0 MPa gauge during 50 years at 20° C. (MRS8.0).

Abstract: A multimodal polymer composition for pipes is disclosed as well as a pipes made thereof. The polymer is a multimodal polyethylene with a density of 0.930-0.965 g/cm3, and a viscosity at a shear stress of 747 Pa (&eegr;747Pa) of at least 650 Pa.s, said multimodal polyethylene comprising a low molecular weight (LMW) ethylene homopolymer fraction and a high molecular weight (HMW) ethylene copolymer fraction, said HMW fraction having a weight ratio of the LMW fraction to the HMW fraction of (35-55):(65-45). Preferably, the multimodal polyethylene has a viscosity at a shear stress of 2.7 kPa (&eegr;2.7 kPa ) of 260-450 kPa.s; and a shear thinning index (SHI) defined as the ratio of the viscosities at shear stresses of 2.7 and 210 kPa, respectively, of SHI2 7/210=50-150, and a storage modulus (G′) at a loss modulus (G″) of 5 kPa, of G′5 kPa≧3000 Pa. The pipe is made of the multimodal polymer composition and withstands a stress of 8.0 MPa gauge during 50 years at 20° C. (MRS8.0).