Our site uses cookies necessary for its proper functioning. To improve your experience, other cookies may be used: you can choose to disable them. This can be changed at any time via the Cookies link at the bottom of the page.


Increased Internal Pressure Resistance Polypropylene (MRS 12.5 = PP125): How Polymer Design Has Led to Step-Change Performances and the Implications for PP-R Applications

 

Papers

Plastic Pipes Conference Association # 2016 Berlin

Giampaolo Pellegatti, Francesca Tisi, Umberto Credali, Monica Galvan, Ines Mingozzi, Emanuele Burgin

An innovator and leader in the production of resins used in piping systems, LyondellBasell and its predecessor companies have served customers in the pipe industry for more than 50 years. Customers have succeeded in steadily replacing traditional materials such as cast iron, steel, clay and concrete; plastic pipes have proven a strong, durable and cost-effective solution. Polypropylene-Random (PP-R) has been a material of choice for producing plastic pipes for hot and cold water installations for more than 20 years. PP-R has higher stiffness and higher melting temperature than other polyolefins, giving a feeling to installers more similar to the incumbent metals, but at the same time keeping the typical advantages of plastic pipes such as light weight, fast and reliable jointing by welding and corrosion resistance, among others. Compared to other highly effective materials used in plastic pipe systems, like PEX or PB-1, PP-R has historically required higher wall thickness, due to its pressure resistance characteristics. The customers desire to reduce in wall thickness without compromising the mechanical properties has been a key driver for the R&D team within LyondellBasell. The efforts spent over the last decade have resulted in the innovative next generation of PP-R (PP125). 1-Hexene as a co-monomer is well known in the Polyethylene world, but has never been commercially used for PP because of its low reactivity in conventional polymerization processes. A new polymerization process combined with the catalyst and polymer design capabilities of LyondellBasell R&D has made the use of 1-Hexene as comonomer in Polypropylene a commercial reality. The new polymers, produced with 1-Hexene as comonomer, have been tested and shown much higher tensile creep performance compared to state of the art PP-R polymers. The test results lead to the conclusion that the next generation PP-R have an increased long term pressure resistance, allowing MRS classification 12.5 MPa, hence PP125. Due to the higher material strength compared to standard PP-R, the new Hostalen PP XN series materials have the potential for lower wall thickness in the same application class. The significant potential for reduction in weight provides opportunities for material savings and other possible benefits such as faster processing, easier handling and a higher degree of sustainability. Secondarily, if the outer diameter remains constant, an increase of the inner flow section is achieved. For all application classes it is possible, by simple geometrical calculations of cross-sections as prescribed by EN ISO 15874, to determine the potential weight savings, which according to customer trials may vary between 15% and 50%.Hostalen PP XN Series materials derive their superior strength from a specific and unique microscopic morphology. Apart from the enhanced pressure performance, XN Series materials are compatible with standard PP-R materials and according to customer feedback can be easily welded to standard PP-R fittings. As a further benefit to the XN Series, the resins are available in natural color, allowing maximum flexibility for pipe producers to color as desired to meet customer needs.

Please note that the whole article content is available on PPCA website only :

Related papers

2021 Amsterdam : ADVANCING 1-HEXENE-BASED PP-RCT: PIPE APPLICATION EXAMPLES AND NEXT CHALLENGES

Author(s) : Simona Africano, Emanuele Burgin, Thomas Boehm

Since the ‘80s, Polypropylene-Random (PP-R) has been a material of choice for producing plastic pipes for Hot & Cold water installations. Compared to other polyolefins, PP-R has higher stiffness and higher temperature resistance, along with the typical advantages of plastic pipes such as light weight, fast and...

2014 Chicago : Cost Savings Through Quality Installations

Author(s) : Monica de la Cruz

Always important, but especially relevant in these times of cost cuttings, is to be aware of and to take into account all costs related to our activity. This paper discloses the contribution of the plastic pipes installation quality in the cost savings for our industry and customers. Generally, our clients only...

2012 Barcelona : Polypropylene for structured sewage pipes. comparative study of materials in use through computer simulation of radial compression

Author(s) : Dario Sinnone, Francesca Tisi, Mario Vitali

Polypropylene is widely used for double-wall structured pipes for sewage applications due to the superior performance it demonstrates versus traditional materials such as high density polyethylene, concrete and metals. Its outstanding balance of mechanical properties enable optimized designs and reduced weight per...

2012 Barcelona : Specialised training on plastic pipes installation. asetub professional installer card contributes to quality.

Author(s) : Mónica de la Cruz

As plastic pipes industry committed to quality it is important not only to offer quality certified pipes and fittings but also to ensure their installation is done properly. The skill of the operator is essential for the assurance of the quality of his work and to avoid deficiencies in the installation which could...

Members of the Association

BOREALISBOROUGEFormosa Plastics CorporationHanwha TotalEnergiesINEOS O&PIRPCKorea Petrochemical IND. Co., LTD (KPIC)LyondellBasellORLEN UnipetrolPetroChina Dushanzi Petrochemical CompanyPRIME POLYMERSABICSCG Chemicals & Thai PolyethyleneSinopecTASNEE