A corrugated pipe is a tube with a series of parallel ridges and grooves on its surface. This pipe can be manufactured of steel or plastic such as high-density polyethylene or PVC. It can be coated or lined. Corrugated pipe is used in applications such as drains where flexibility, durability, and strength are important attributes.
Small size corrugated pipe can be seen in familiar uses such as the drain pipe used to carry runoff from gutters on the eaves of a home. Larger size pipes are used as storm drains and culverts under bridges and alongside roadways. The flexibility of corrugated pipe makes it more suitable for a variety of uses than rigid smooth pipe. The degree of corrugation is measured by the height of the ridges; the higher the number, the more flexibility the pipe.
All corrugated pipes are characterized by excellent mechanical protection properties and outstanding resistance to a wide range of environmental influences, such as moisture. Moreover, depending on the material and additives, some of the insulating tubes have specialized properties adapted to the respective area of application, such as flame resistance or chemical inertness. To facilitate subsequent installation, corrugated pipes are also available in slotted versions.