Experiments have been conducted to assess the effect of particle shape on pipeline friction in turbulent flow, using laboratory pipelines of nominal diameter 50 mm and 150 mm. The experiments were intended to examine the extent to which a fluid model is appropriate for slurries of this type, especially at high solids concentrations. The experiments confirm that fluid friction at low and moderate solids concentrations is proportional to slurry density, with particle shape being of minor importance. At high solids concentrations, additional increases in friction are observed and these depend upon the ratio of the solids concentration to the maximum settled concentration. Although this friction increase is qualitatively similar to that which would result from increased slurry viscosity, the evidence suggests that particle-wall contact is the mechanism. However, the transition from turbulent to laminar flow indicates that an effective viscosity should be used in calculating critical Reynolds numbers.