March 2023 Vol. 4

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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:  * ASTM * CDC Plumbing * Electrofusion * Everloc™ * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * Fletcher Building Group * Georg Fischer * Grants * HDD * IPLEX * Microplastics * Plastic Pipe Institute * PPI * Polybutylene Failures * Polyethylene Pipes * PP-R Pipes* QRMF * REHAU * RWC * UPONOR * Vinidex

BREAKING NEWS

‘Faulty’ Polybutylene Pipes to Remain in Homes Pending ‘Top Priority’ Investigation by Building Industry Regulator
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/gcJ4PiYh6yBiuTa

Restructure Following Collapse of CDC Plumbing
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/Beolmuu29ygN9pR

INDUSTRY NEWS

New ASTM Includes OIT Thermal Stability Requirement for Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene Piping
https://www.astm.org/f2389-21.html

HDD and HDPE — The Perfect Match
https://undergroundinfrastructure.com/magazine/2023/march-2023-vol-78-no-3/directional-drilling/hdd-and-hdpe-the-perfect-match

Prices of HDPE and PVC Pipes Have Risen Substantially as a Result of the Pandemic and Inflation
“The price for PVC and HDPE pipe has doubled in the last few years,” according to Devyn Hogan, a salesman at E.J. Prescott, a pipe provider with an office in Barre. “The price has stabilized over the last six months, but I doubt it will go down much.”
https://montpelierbridge.org/2023/03/draft-water-system-report-recommends-pipe-replacement-over-water-pressure-reduction/

REHAU Celebrates Sale of Billionth Compression Sleeve
The Everloc™ connection technology uses the compression sleeve to create a permanently tight connection between the pipe and the fitting, with no O-rings or other sealants, producing a independently certified cavity-free joint.
https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/rehau-celebrates-sale-of-billionth-everloc-compression-sleeve

Vinidex Takes Advantage of $40 million Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund (QRMF)
Vinidex is installing new equipment, funded by the QRMF that will enable the company to divert 1000 tonnes of PVC pipe waste away from landfill each year.
Vinidex Chief Executive Officer David Birch said closing the loop by quadrupling the use of recycled waste materials is an important pillar of the company’s 2025 sustainability vision.
https://www.insidewaste.com.au/first-project-announced-for-qld-recycling-modernisation-fund/

Iplex Parent Fletcher Building Sued by Group of Investors
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/485863/fletcher-building-sued-by-group-of-investors

Fletcher Building’s CEO Ross Taylor $6.59M Richer Despite Company ‘s Problems
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/OrkP7YE710p1yYE

Uponor issues Uponor PP-RCT Pressure Testing Instruction Form [PDF]
Uponor’s warranty does not cover failures caused by improper installation
https://www.uponor.com/getmedia/d435e9dc-92f2-4034-a4bb-c9be26849b1a/PP-RCT-Pressure-Testing-Instruction-Form.pdf?sitename=USA

Video of Ultrasonic Overlap Welding AL-Plastic Composite Pipe Line
Ultrasonic Overlap Welding AL-Plastic Composite Pipe Line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7uAEz7eoNM

GF Piping Systems Earns 2022 Excellent Performance Award
https://news.cision.com/gf-piping-systems/r/gf-piping-systems-earns-tsmc-s-2022-excellent-performance-award,c3737918

Animated Video Released by the Plastics Pipe Institute to Promote Recycling of HDPE Containers into HDPE Drainage Pipe
https://plasticpipe.org/Drainage/Drainage-Look-Deeper.aspx?utm_source=PPI&utm_medium=&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

NEW RESEARCH

Lateral Ground Movement Effects near a Joint of MDPE Gas Distribution Pipes
https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/cgj-2022-0260

Beam-on-Spring Modelling of Buried MDPE Pipes in Sand Subjected to Lateral Loads a at Pipe Junction
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667143323000173

Performance Evaluation of Solid Waste Landfilled Gas Collection with HDPE Pipe Material Characteristics Analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785323010830

NEW JOBS

Vinidex Seeking Manufacturing Operators for Coopers Plain Site
https://au.linkedin.com/jobs/view/manufacturing-operators-at-vinidex-3509906304

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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