Slow crack growth resistance of non-virgin polymers

Author(s) : Thomas R. Kratochvilla, Raimund Eremiasch, Christoph Bruckner

In the last years effort has been made to develop and standardise new accelerated test methods to evaluate PE 100-RC materials in short times in form of test bars. The two most important developments, the cracked round bar test (CRB test) and the strain hardening test (SH test) were published as final ISO standards in...

Author(s) : Dominique GUEUGNAUT, Manuel TESSIER, Romuald BOUAFFRE

Given the virtual absence of available up-to-date results regarding the acceptance criteria for defects at electro-welding interfaces, a study has been launched by GRTgaz RICE with the two-fold aim of confirming the accuracy of the PAUT technique for the detection and sizing of calibrated pit-shaped defects implanted...

Author(s) : Markus Gall, Reinhold W. Lang, Joerg Fischer, Ansgar Niehoff, Steven Schmidt

Despite recent efforts in promoting the utilization of recycled polymeric materials for more diverse and more advanced applications, there are still significant knowledge gaps with regards to the applicability of certain recyclate types for specific “re-use” purposes. When it comes to pipe applications, for instance,...

Author(s) : Mario Messiha, Andreas Frank, Isabelle J. Berger, Jan Heimink, Hermann van Laak, Florian Arbeiter, Gerald Pinter

Since the last decade polyamide 12 (PA12) has been successfully introduced as material for SDR 11 gas piping systems up to 18 bar, representing itself as an attractive alternative to steel pipes for high-pressure applications. Practical experience has confirmed that beside the higher strength, PA12 pipe grades also...

Author(s) : Ernest Lever

Six different polyethylene materials were tested using Cyclic Pressure Fatigue (CPF) as the accelerating process to correlate the results to conventional long-term hydrostatic test results that were previously developed as part of the material qualification process. The designation of the materials was unknown to the...

Author(s) : Joerg Fischer, Paul J. Freudenthaler, Patrick R. Bradler, Reinhold W. Lang, Susan C. Mantell

This research addresses the effect of nucleation on the global aging behavior and the fatigue crack growth (FCG) resistance of commercial alpha- and beta-nucleated polypropylene random copolymer pipe grades (PP-R) when exposed to chlorinated water (5 mg/l free chlorine) at an elevated temperature of 60°C. Comparing...

Author(s) : Carlos Domínguez, Álvaro Pérez, Nuria Robledo, Cristina González, Beatriz Paredes, Rafael A. García-Muñoz

Last methodologies for fast evaluation of the SCG resistance on polyethylene pipe materials are analyzed in this work and compared with traditional PENT and FNCT tests. Strain Hardening (SH), Crack Round Bar (CRB) and Accelerated Creep Test (ACT) will be good alternatives for evaluating PE100RC resins. Moreover, SH...

Author(s) : Joerg Fischer, Patrick R. Bradler, Reinhold W. Lang

In the present paper, a novel test system for conducting fatigue crack growth (FCG) experiments under superimposed mechanical-environmental conditions is presented. FCG experiments were performed on a polypropylene (PP) grade and a short-glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66 (PA-GF) grade as model materials. The...

Author(s) : Isabelle J. Berger, Andreas Frank, Gerald Pinter, David Nitsche, Dirk Petry

Electrofusion (EF) sockets constitute a well-established and practically proven technology for the joining of polyethylene (PE) pressure pipes. As for the pipes, the potential lifetime of such welding connections is beside other properties also depending on the resistance against slow crack growth (SCG). The current...

Author(s) : Pavel Hutar, Jan Poduska, Pavol Dlhy, Andreas Frank, Jaroslav Kucera, Jiri Sadilek, Gerald Pinter, Lubos Nahlik

This paper investigates possible use of recycled material as a part of a multilayer polyethylene pressure pipe system. Crack propagation in different configurations is simulated. Lifetimes of pipes containing recycled material are calculated. Results are compared with lifetimes of pipes made of virgin...

Author(s) : Farraj Tashman, Mohamed Ali Jaber, Sultan Al Kendi

Analysis of subsea PE100 pipeline conveying oil produced water effluent with traces of hydrocarbons was done after 5 years of leak-tight continuous operation at boundary conditions showed that properties of PE100 pipes are intact when benchmarked with test results conducted on reference pipe sample kept for this...

Author(s) : Suleyman Deveci, Senthil K. Kaliappan, Joel Fawaz, Umesh Gadgoli

A series of non-commercial bimodal high density ethylene-α-olefin copolymers with systematically controlled molecular parameters over a wide range that would result in extremely low and high strain hardening modulus were prepared and tested Strain hardening modulus has been published as a standard test method (ISO...

Author(s) : D.W. Currence, B. Sauer

Society’s call for improved stewardship of natural resources and public funds continues to grow. Combined with the challenges facing public infrastructure has resulted in the broadened expectation for sustainable and resilient materials and products to serve in these future public infrastructure needs. Sustainability...

Author(s) : Cliff Mure, Siddharth Athreya, Dane Chang, Rujul Mehta

New generations of PE100 and PE4710 pressure pipe materials exhibit a superior balance of mechanical properties. The slow crack growth performance of these materials measured by traditional tests such as PENT and FNCT can exceed one year. Accelerated test methods, including strain hardening modulus, accelerated FNCT,...

Author(s) : Peter Postma

On request of the Dutch DSO’s and in cooperation with all important Dutch stakeholders (producers, suppliers, contractors and the regulator), Kiwa Technology investigated the relevancy of defects found with Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) and if it was possible to determine acceptance criteria. The project...

Author(s) : Jim Goddard, Mario Paredes

Samples of polyethylene pipe supplied to mining projects throughout the Americas were selected and tested for compliance with existing ASTM specifications. Estimated service life of these pipe products in mining applications are made based on the laboratory tests required in the ASTM specifications. Anticipated...

Author(s) : Ernst van der Stok, Frans Scholten

Samples machined directly from pipe show that orientation has a large influence on the strain hardening modulus. No effects arising as a result of residual stresses were found. Samples machined in the axial direction from a hydrostatic pressurised pipe showed no effect as a result of this mechanical degradation. For...

Author(s) : Mike Troughton, Amir Khamsehnezhad

the inspection of butt fusion and electrofusion joints in polyethylene (PE) pipes. Depending on the technique and inspection procedure, various types of flaw, including discrete planar lack of fusion, particulate contamination, voids, cold fusions and pipe under-penetration can be detected. However, the usefulness of...

Author(s) : Joerg Fischer, Patrick R. Bradler, Reinhold W. Lang, Gernot M. Wallner

The present paper aims to study the crack growth resistance of a black-pigmented polypropylene pipe grade when exposed to elevated temperatures and various environmental media (air, deionized water, ionized water with a specific chloride content, and chlorinated water) under the simultaneous application of cyclic...

Author(s) : Andreas Frank, Isabelle J. Berger, Florian Arbeiter, Pavel Hutař, Gerald Pinter

Due to the high slow crack growth resistance of modern polyethylene pipe grades a reliable lifetime assessment of pipes with focus on stage II failure has become challenging. The current paper presents a scientific approach for a fracture mechanics lifetime prediction based on Cyclic Cracked Round Bar (CRB) Tests....