May 2022 Vol. 1

Download PDF

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:  * Advanced Microwave Imaging * AGRU * ASTM * Borealis * CORYS * Electrofusion * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * GF Piping * Iplex * ISCO * Lyondell Basell * McElroy * Microwave Inspection * Molecor * OIT * Photo Acoustic (PA) * PEX Pipe Failures * PE100 * Plasson * PPN * POP004 * Remedy™ 500 * RITMO * Uponor

INDUSTRY NEWS

New Advances in Microwave Inspection of HDPE Pipe Fusion Welds [PDF]
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/Lh3aozau2apgRKM#pdfviewer

Enormous Customer Interest Towards the World’s First PEX Pipe Based on Renewable Raw Materials, Introduced by Uponor (Breaking News)
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/UPONOR-OYJ-1412431/news/Uponor-Oyj-Enormous-customer-interest-towards-the-world-s-first-PEX-Pipe-based-on-renewable-raw-ma-40181761/

Borealis Research on Short- and Long-Term Performance of Pipe Compounds Containing Polyethylene Post-Consumer Recyclates from Packaging Waste [PDF]
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/8/1581/pdf?version=1649844377

Lyondell Basell Announces $2Bill EBITDA With Strongest First Quarter Since 2015
https://www.lyondellbasell.com/en/news-events/corporate–financial-news/lyondellbasell-reports-first-quarter-2022-earnings/

How to Stack HDPE and PVC Pipes (ISCO Insights)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ya1S3BFiNQ

AGRU Research Long-Term Behaviour of Welded Polypropylene Liners for Pit Thermal Energy Storages
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/TRSVRPU23ME0sQd#pdfviewer

Update to INDUSTRY GUIDELINES POP004 for Polyethylene Pipe and Fittings Compounds 
https://www.iplex.com.au/assets/Uploads/PIPA-POP004-Polyethylene-Pipe-and-Fittings-Compound-Issue-29-April-2021-1.pdf

GF Piping Systems Launches Fire Retardant Pipe Jacket System (Breaking News)
https://www.oedigital.com/news/496099-tech-file-gf-piping-systems-launches-fire-retardant-pipe-jacket-system

McElroy Names Barry Johnson New Quality Director
https://www.phcppros.com/articles/15396-article-headline

Photo-Acoustic (PA) Inspection of Electrofusion Joints in Polyethylene Pipes
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx8XFp0ewUQ

INDUSTRY ALERT – ‘PEX Pipes Highly Susceptible to Chlorine’ – Chlorine Resistance Testing of Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) Piping Materials [PDF]
https://plasticpipe.org/common/Uploaded%20files/1-PPI/Divisions/Building-20and-20Construction/Division-20Publications/BCD-20Technical-20Literature/Jana/Jana-20Report-20–20Chlorine-20Resistance-20Testing-20of-20PEX-20Piping-20Materials.pdf

PEX Class Action, PEX Piping Maker Oppose Objector’s Challenge of Settlement
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/EMVSPR68ilQZG9z#pdfviewer

Bad Pipes: Defective Polybutylene Could Crack, Flood Your Home
https://www.abc15.com/news/region-west-valley/glendale/bad-pipes-defective-polybutylene-could-crack-flood-your-home

From Scrap Plastic to Fantastic: Enbridge Gas workers Rethink Waste
https://www.enbridge.com/stories/2022/april/enbridge-gas-workers-rethink-waste-recycle-plastic-pipeline-scrap

Traditions, Current Innovations, Variations, and Deviations in the Control of Welding of Polymer Pipes
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1995421222020095

Corys Piping Systems Signs Regional Partnership with Molecor for PVC-O Pipes
https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/corys-pvco

ASTM Issues New Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
https://www.astm.org/f0876-22a.html

Kansas DOT Report Evaluation of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipes (Declassified)
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/WvyeKUUFoyD6S2e#pdfviewer

How HDPE Pipe is Made by PLASSON Australia
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NK7PE0rf0JA

Ritmo Launch New HDPE and PP Pipe Welder (Game Changer for the Industry) – Remedy 500 – Ritmo Track Machine for HDPE/PP Pipes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp4cR7Pq20g&ab_channel=RitmoPlasticWelding
https://www.ritmo.it/en/butt-fusion-for-pressure-pipe/remedy-500-man/#

Mechanical Behaviour and Fracture Characteristics of Polymeric Pipes under Curved Three-Point Bending Tests
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1350630722003260

NEW ADDITIVES FOR ENHANCING PROPERTIES OF HDPE PIPES

Study of Wear Performance and Mechanical Properties of HDPE on Addition of CNT Fillers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785322021022

Preparation of Polyethylene Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene Grafted Exfoliated Zirconium Phosphate
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00038

Barrier Properties of Nanocomposites from HDPE Reinforced with Natural Clay
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266608652200056X

NEW JOBS

Aliaxis Seeking R&D Engineer Chemist – Materials Engineer
https://apply.workable.com/aliaxis-france/j/F6E072073B/

PLASTIC PIPE FAILURE ANALYSIS

Failure Analysis of Plastic Pipes
If you’re looking for an expert witness for your case involving plastic pipe failure analysis, then you can’t beat the team at ExcelPlas Consulting.  Our team is setting a new standard for excellence in failure analysis of plastic articles but especially plastic pipe.  For plastic pipe, this includes HDPE, PVC & CPVC pipe as well as other plastic piping systems like Hobas GRP pipe, PP-R Pipe, and spoolable composite pipe.  When a plastic pipeline fails to perform as intended, our team can determine the root cause (chemical failure, oxidative failure, creep failure, overstress failure, fatigue failure, design failure, etc).   We are experts in HDPE water pipe failures, CPVC sprinkler pipe failure, PVC pipe failure analysis and PP-R Oxidation/Degradation investigations.
https://www.excelplas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Excelplas-A4-Brochure-4pp-Plastic-Pipe-Testing-NTs.pdf

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 plastic pipes and fittings.
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

Cautionary Warning:  Some PEX Piping is Prone to Development of Cracks Due to Early Oxidation
ExcelPlas Labs have developed a three-step testing program to detect early failure of PEX pipe and their expected service lifetime.
The 3 Step Testing is based on:

  • Oxidative Induction Time (OIT) testing to determine the residual level of oxidative stability (i.e. thermal stability)
  • Quantitative Additive Analysis (QAA) to determine the type and level of protective antioxidants and stabilizer present.
  • Scanning Microscopy on inner surface after bend back to image developing microcracks

Samples of PEX pipe just 10 cm long are needed for the analysis.  7 Day turnaround on test reports.
https://www.excelplas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Excelplas-A4-Brochure-4pp-Plastic-Pipe-Testing-NTs.pdf

MORE POLY PIPE NEWS

PPN the Digital News Platform for Communicating to the Global Plastic Pipe Industry
Send Us Your News!!!  PPN Publishes weekly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUKxWbOZY10


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]

Get Your HDPE Pipe Products or Services Noticed – Advertise in Poly Pipe News (PPN) Australia
https://www.polypipenews.com.au/advertise/

This Newsletter is brought to you by Excelplas Labs, Australia’s Largest group of Poly Pipe Testing Labs.

Pipe Poly News (PPN) is now Australia’s most current and comprehensive source of news on Polyethylene pipes and Poly Pipe Welding;

Poly Pipe News is now sent to over 4500 Poly Pipe Industry Members every week.

Any news requests should be sent to [email protected]
To subscribe, visit https://www.polypipenews.com.au/subscribe/

2022 Copyright ExcelPlas Labs 🔬

PPN is owned and operated by ExcelPlas Pty Ltd.  By subscribing to PPN you agree to receiving regular PPN newsletters as well as the PPN platform using your email contact details to enhance the performance and functionality of PPN and its analytics reports.  These email contact details allow PPN to track page views and create more targeted and relevant content.  PPN provides an unsubscribe link on the bottom of each PPN newsletter.