August 2022 Vol. 3

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PPN- The Leading Source of Industry News on Polymer Pipes and Plastic Pipe Testing

Global News on Plastic Piping and Fittings in Real-Time


NEWSMAKERS:  * AGRU * Borouge * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * HÜRNER * IPEX * Iplex * ISCO PIPE * Plastic Pipe Institute * Polyline Pipe Systems * PPI * PPN * PVC Pipe * RWC * STAR * Vinyl Institute * W. L. Plastics

BREAKING NEWS

Replacing Lead Water Pipes with Plastic Could Raise New Safety Issues
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/replacing-lead-water-pipes-with-plastic-could-raise-new-safety-issues/

Contamination from Plastic Pipes in Small Systems: Migration and Leaching
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/1D81VrGe0iJLeui

Common Failure Modes of PVC Pipe (Industry Warning)
• Over-insertion or “over-belling” of the spigot into the bell is a common installation defect that leads to PVC pipe failure. • PVC pipe is brittle and prone to cracking caused by UV exposure, cold temperatures, age, overbending, and chemical exposure. • Fatigue caused by water surge or water hammer can damage PVC pipe and fittings.  With traditional PVC pipe, potential leak points can occur at every joint (3–6 metres). To illustrate, consider that a city of 100,000 residents using PVC piping for their potable water supply would lose around 14 percent to leakage.
https://isco-pipe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HDPE_Municipal_Water_Distribution_Whitepaper.pdf

INDUSTRY NEWS

Canal Enclosure with HDPE Pipes from AGRU
https://agruamerica.com/canal-enclosure-with-hdpe-pipes/

Reliably Welded: STAR Piping Systems GmbH cooperates with HÜRNER Schweisstechnik GmbH
https://starpipingsystems.de/en/company/news/news/48-reliably-welded-star-piping-systems-gmbh-cooperates-with-huerner-schweisstechnik-gmbh/

W.L. Plastics to Invest $40M in second HDPE Pipe Facility in Lubbock, Texas
https://businessfacilities.com/2022/08/more-than-100-jobs-40m-investment-likely-headed-to-lubbock/

Iplex Secures $51 Million Townsville Haughton Pipeline Contract
https://www.iplex.com.au/news-and-case-studies/news/iplex-secures-51-million-townsville-haughton-pipeline-contract/

Pipe Manufacturer Moves Fitting Fabrication In-house
https://www.miningweekly.com/article/pipe-manufacturer-moves-fitting-fabrication-in-house-2022-08-26

Discover Why More and More Municipalities are Choosing HDPE Pipe over PVC Pipe (ISCO PIPE)
https://isco-pipe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HDPE_Municipal_Water_Distribution_Whitepaper.pdf

Vinyl Institute Sees Growth for PVC in Infrastructure as Construction Slows
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/vinyl-institute-sees-growth-pvc-infrastructure-construction-slows
https://www.plasticsnews.com/kickstart/not-just-pipe-dream-pilot-program-recycle-oil-containers-seeing-weather-clearly

Borouge PE100 Pipe Resin used at Barakah Plant Support UAE Clean Energy Transition
https://www.zawya.com/en/business/manufacturing/borouge-products-used-at-barakah-plant-support-uae-clean-energy-transition-mbs0v1eg

PPN Now Reaches Over 44,000 Pipe and Plumbing Professionals Every Week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUKxWbOZY10

PIPE FAILURE

Investigating the Influence of Surrounding Soil Properties on Leakage Discharge from Cracks in Polyethylene Pipes
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/NEJF8gCL1SAvdkh

A Method for Grading the Hidden Dangers of Urban Gas Polyethylene Pipelines Based on Improved PLC Methods
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/WpPn8QnwgdxGjON

Effect of Pipe-End Material on Water Hammer and Cavitation in Viscoelastic Pipelines
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362821553_Effect_of_Pipe-End_Material_on_Water_Hammer_and_Cavitation_in_Viscoelastic_Pipelines

RWC Updates Warranty in Addition to Australian Consumer Law in Relation to AUSPEX and DUOPEX Products Sold in Australia
https://www.auspex.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FN407i-Auspex_Warranty_1021.pdf

Impact of Pipeline Materials on Water Quality and Stability of Desalinated Seawater in the Pipeline Network
Of the three pipe types, polyethylene pipe (PE) is the most difficult for microorganisms to attach and grow
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/b52f32ef-d845-4178-871f-3c17860730e3-MECA.pdf?abstractid=4196764&mirid=1

PVC Pipe Failure Rates Claimed to Be Many Times Higher Than for HDPE Pipe
https://isco-pipe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HDPE_Municipal_Water_Distribution_Whitepaper.pdf

Pros and Cons of Installing PEX Plumbing Pipes
https://www.e-architect.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-installing-pex-plumbing-pipes

Why Use Polymer Testing Services from ExcelPlas?
Our polymer material testing services help you to:

  • Identify the characteristics, properties and flaws of your materials
  • Comply with all relevant national and international standards(ISO,ASTM,..)
  • Ensure that your polymeric materials meet your clients’ safety, environmental and  requirements

Composition of a plastic material
By combining different analysis techniques, we can obtain the composition of an unknown plastic material or compound, thus identifying which polymer or polymers, mineral fillers and reinforcements are present. Likewise, the percentage of these mineral fillers.  This information is very useful to ensure compliance with the requirements needed to obtain the technical data sheet of a material, to understand the possible causes of failure in manufacturing or service, etc.

Verification of specifications in pipes and their raw materials
With extensive experience in testing for the plastic pipe industry (PE, PP, PVC, PEX, GRP pipe..)
In this regard, we perform carbon black content tests, carbon black dispersion tests, Oxidation Induction Time (OIT), Tensile, Vicat, among others, all aimed at ensuring minimum values that enables compliance with the required technical specifications. In addition, we determine the degree of cross-linking and the gel content in PE-X pipes, as well as in any other cross-linked materials.
Some of our testing capabilities include:

  • Thermal Anaylsis (DSC, TGA, ASH content)
  • FTIR
  • XRF
  • XRD
  • SEM,TEM,AFM
  • HDT-VICAT Test Instrument
  • UL94 Flammabilitty
  • Rheometry (Melt Flow Inedex, Capillary Rheometer)
  • Universal Testing Machines
  • Shore A&D
  • Density
  • ESCR
  • Twin screw extruder for R&D activity
  • Hydrostatic test for plastic pipe

MICROPLASTICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Australian Scientists Find Microplastics Continue to Cause Havoc to Our Environment
https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/microplastics-continue-to-cause-havoc-to-our-environment

Microplastic in Oysters: A Review of Global Trends and Comparison to Southern Australia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35995196/

Widespread Occurrence of Microplastics in Marine Bays with Diverse Drivers and Environmental Risk
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202200410X

Recent Advances on Ecological Effects of Microplastics on Soil Environment
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/am/pii/S0048969721044119

FAILURE ANALYSIS

HDPE PIPE JOINT FAILURE EXPERTS

The failure of electrofusion or butt fusion joints in polyethylene gas pipework can be due to several factors including incorrect alignment, contamination, incorrect temperature or the duration of joint fusion.  If a joint failure occurs, investigations are important to help identify modifications to procedures or training that can help you minimise the occurrence of future failure. This is where we can help.
We provide a detailed PE joint failure investigation service which typically include:
• Digital inspection of the received sample, including dimension measurements of sizes and ovality
• Segmenting the joint for visual and microscopic investigation
• Elemental analysis of any contamination found in the joint
• Peel decohesion testing
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

Plastic Pipeline Expert Witness

If you require expert witness or legal consulting assistance in pipeline failure analysis, plastic pipeline joining methods, plastic piping welding, or associated technical areas please contact us.
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

ExcelPlas Investigating Poly Pipe Failures for Over 25 Years
Through failure analysis & forensic chemistry, we help clients improve product performance, increase profits, & resolve product liability claims with plastic pipes and fittings. We are dedicated to unmatched excellence in failure analysis, investigative chemistry, material testing, and expert witnessing for plastics, polymers and composites. With over 25 years of investigative experience, the staff at ExcelPlas are uniquely positioned to help clients resolve the most challenging performance and processing issues related to materials and finished pipes and fittings.
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

MORE POLY PIPE NEWS

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ExcelPlas Labs Pipe Failure Investigations
ExcelPlas Labs have created a new benchmark in failure analysis of HDPE, PP-R, PB and PEX pipes in addition to PVC &  CPVC pipes as well as composite GRP and GRE pipes.  When a plastic pipeline fails to perform as intended, our team can determine the root cause of failure (e.g.  oxidative failure, chemical failure, creep failure, over-stress failure, fatigue failure, design failure, etc).  ExcelPlas are experienced with all plastic piping failure modes and mechanisms including Slow Crack Growth (SCG) Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP), Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR), Oxidative Stress Cracking (OSC), cyclic fatigue, manufacturing defects, and polymer material problems.
http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas Strain Hardening Test (SHT) for HDPE Pipes
The SHT in accordance with ISO 18488 is a relatively new, but excellent way to obtain a rapid indication of the Stress Crack Growth (SCG) resistance of your piping material. This tensile test performed at 80°C has become in just a few years the new standard for Batch Release Testing (BRT). And not without reason.  The test requires only a very small amount of material, the results are very reliable with a very low inter-laboratory scatter and the results are available within a few days, regardless of the PE grade. The SHT is usually performed on resin material but it can also be performed on samples taken directly from pipes or sheets. As accredited lab, EXCELPLAS is happy to discuss the possibilities with you, whether it is for BRT, benchmarking, quality control of your (high performing) PE grade or for polymer compliance/ validation.
http://www.excelplas.com/

Australia’s Plastic Pipe Testing Laboratory
ExcelPlas Laboratories provides a comprehensive plastic pipe joint testing service and is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory to test a range of polymer materials including polyethylene and polypropylene. ExcelPlas can carry out testing on plastic tube and pipe ranging in wall thickness from 3mm to 1200mm. ExcelPlas Laboratories provide a comprehensive service to Industrial & commercial companies, environmental consultants, Government bodies, and local Authority customers throughout Australia and Asia. All testing is carried and out in accordance with ASTM, ISO & WIS methods and is fully accredited to ISO 17025 by NATA.

  • Butt Fusion Weld Testing
  • Weld Testing
  • Testing of Electro-fusion Welds
  • Tear on saddle joints
  • Crush De-cohesion of Electro-fusion welds
  • Polymer & Plastics Identification
  • Chemical & Thermal Testing
  • Site Audits

http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas – the Australian Pipes & Fittings Testing Laboratory

  • Accredited to ISO 17025 by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Australia, and is Australia’s largest laboratory dedicated for the testing of plastic pipes and fittings to various Standards which include Australian, European and International Standards.
  • The staff employed at the laboratory have a combined experience of more than 85 years within the plastics industry specifically with manufacturing, quality control and the research and development of plastic piping systems including HDPE, PEX, PP-R, PVC, U-PVC, M-PVC, O-PVC, ABS, GRP, GRE and PB.
  • Services provided include conformance testing, compliance testing, batch release testing, root cause analysis for field failures and non-destructive testing of samples.
  • http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas Lab Specialising in HDPE Pipe Condition Monitoring, Failure Analysis and Testing
In the event of a HDPE buttweld or electrofusion weld failing during initial testing, or in service, we can conduct investigations to assist in identifying the root cause of the failure.
This service also extends to the premature failure of the pipe or fitting itself.
http://www.excelplas.com/plastic-pipes

ExcelPlas Pipe Testing is a Leader in the Field of Polyethylene (PE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Testing
ExcelPlas is accredited with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for butt weld tests, bend and tensile tests, peel decohesion tests on electro fusion sockets and failure mode determination
http://www.polypipetesting.com.au/butt-fusion-welds/

New UHMWPE Pipe for Tailing Offers Greater Than 4X the Abrasion Resistance of PE100 (Australia wide)
http://slurrypipes.com.au/

ExcelPlas Poly Pipe Weld Inspection Lists Top 7 Causes of Weld Failure:

  • Lack of scraping
  • Inaccurate scraping
  • Contamination from dirt, water, oil or clays
  • Lack of Paralell-ness of fusion faces
  • Misalignment of surfaces
  • Time, temperature and pressure deviations
  • Not adhering to cool times

We have extensive experience in inspection of poly pipe welds for assuring welded joint quality.  Direct Poly Pipe Inspection ensures that operators are following the proven welding procedure; this reduces the occurrences of operational errors which lead to defects such as inclusions, lack of fusion (LoF), porosity and misalignment.
More information, contact [email protected]

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