Fletcher’s Australian Subsidiary Iplex Problematic Plumbing Pipes has Market “Spooked”

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Global News on Plastic Piping and Fittings in Real-Time


NEWSMAKERS:   * Australian Plastic Piping Failures * BGC * Chevron Phillips * Delstrat * DOT * Driscopipe™ * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * Fletcher Building * Iplex * ISCO Pipe * Microplastics * PEX Pipe Failures * Pipe Penetrating Radar (PPR) * Plastic Pipe Failures * Polybutylene Pipe Failures * PP-R Pipes * Pro-Fit™ * PVC Pipes * Vinidex

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATE:  Fletcher’s Australian Subsidiary Iplex Problematic Plumbing Pipes has Market “Spooked”

INDUSTRY NEWS

Chevron Phillips (CP Chem) Declares Force Majeure on HDPE Resin from Orange, Texas

Solving ESG Challenges Preserving the Great Salt Lake with Large Diameter HDPE Pipe

Public Tour of Vinidex’s HDPE Pipe Manufacturing PlanSign Up Here

Major DOT Report Published on Pipeline Safety: Safety of HDPE Gas Distribution Pipelines (Declassified) [PDF]
The ambient temperatures in the southwestern United States are very high (typically over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and may contribute to issues for plastic piping. Driscopipe Series 7000 and 8000 HDPE pipe exposed to prolonged elevated temperatures may degrade as a result of thermal oxidation. One of the largest producers of polyethylene piping products in North America, has noted that “the mechanism for this oxidation appears to be the depletion of the thermal stabilizer, which has been shown to occur over time in high ambient temperature conditions.”77 PHMSA has reminded operators through ADB-2012-03 that they should monitor the performance of their plastic piping.  PHMSA also alerted operators to the risks of material degradation on Driscopipe8000 (Driscopipe Series 8000 high-density polyethylene (HDPE)) pipe in Arizona and Nevada.

PLASTIC PIPE FAILURE

Failure and Fracture in Polyethylene Pipes: Overview, Prediction Methods, and Challenges [PDF]

State-of-the-Art Overview of Plastic Pipe Deterioration Mechanisms [PDF]

Advanced Condition Assessment of HDPE Pipes Using Pipe Penetrating Radar [PDF]

HDPE PIPES

Use of FTIR Analysis to Track UV Degradation of HDPE Pipes

Development of a Passive RFID Temperature Sensor for HDPE Pipes in Wildfire Applications

PP PIPES

Towards a Better Understanding of the Crystal Content of Nucleated PP-R Pipes

PVC Pipes

Integrity Assessment of High-Performance PVC Pipes for Thermal Wells [PDF]

MICROPLASTICS

Norwegian Study Finds HDPE Dust is Toxic to Cells

TESTING

Evaluation of the Ring Tension Test (RTT) for Robust Determination of Pipe Material Strengths

CONDITION ASSESSMENT

ExcelPlas Pipe Condition Assessment (PCA)
Owners and operators of plants have been using thermoplastics for many years, transporting water, gas and chemicals along their process. However, for operational and maintenance purposes, the asset integrity of the piping system is required. This could be for a number of reason, such as piping system maintenance, ability to maintain current service conditions. EP offers its 30 plus years of plastic piping application experience to assess the fitness for service of used piping. Our specialists inspect the samples in our state-of-the-art accredited materials testing laboratory for piping components, to give our clients the necessary information to make an informed decision and next steps during a project’s operational, maintenance or design phases resolve threats to client assets. ExcelPlas offers the following testing to determine the condition of plastic pipes:
Technical Data:

  • Visual Inspection
  • Dimensional check
  • Oxidation Induction Time (OIT)
  • Melt Flow Rate (MFR)
  • Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
  • Hydrostatic Test
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry test (DSC)
  • Vicat test
  • Microscopic analysis
  • Report with assessment of the integrity of the piping material

PLASTIC PIPE CONSULTANTS

Plastic Pipe Consulting Experts and Services
If you need a team of pipe plastic experts, then ExcelPlas Consulting is the obvious choice – our size is our strength in a market dominated by single consultants.
We provide services on everything from material selection, product testing, processing to failure analysis
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

PIPE FAILURE ANALYSIS

ExcelPlas Investigating Poly Pipe Failures
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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