October 2021 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


NEWSMAKERS:  * Aliaxis * Chlorine-Induced Oxidation * Class Action * Electrofusion Welding * ExcelPlas * EZ-FLO * Failure Analysis * Flowtite® * GF Piping * LG Chem * Lucene™ * Mike Troughton * Moody’s Rating * PE100 * PE-RT * PPN * Reliance Worldwide * RWC * Uponor * U-PVC Pipe * Wavin

INDUSTRY NEWS

Wavin Expands Footprint in India with the Acquisition of Another Manufacturing Plant (Breaking News)
https://www.constructionweekonline.in/business/20312-wavin-expands-footprint-in-india-with-the-acquisition-of-another-manufacturing-plant

Electrofusion Welding Imperfections and Their Causes & Failure Modes – A Review by Mike Troughton [PDF]
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/07316844211051207

Electrofusion Welding and Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipes – A Review [PDF]
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/07316844211051207

Influence of Residual Chlorine and Pressure on the Degradation of Water Pipes Made from Polyethylene of Raised Temperature (PE-RT)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141391021002792

Uponor Tables the Disadvantages of PE-RT Pipes Relative to PEX Pipes for Hot Water
https://www.uponor.com/getmedia/8d50504d-ea71-477a-9965-05bf7424aab3/uponor-20pex-20vs-20pe-20rt-20fact-20sheet.pdf?sitename=Canada

LG Chem Publishes Technical Specs on their PE-RT(Type II) metallocene polymer for Hot water pipe, Floor heating, Radiator connection, Al composite pipe
LUCENE™ SP 988 is a high-performance metallocene MDPE for Hot and Cold Water pipe developed by using New LG metallocene catalyst technology.
It has excellent stress crack resistance properties (an impressive >8760 hrs ESCR) and Long Term Hydrostatic strength (see links below)
http://www.lgchem.com/upload/file/chinaplas/Division_Info/PO_vf.pdf
https://www.ecpl.ru/articles/iso10508.pdf

Cost Model for Savings in Installation When Using PE 100
https://www.pe100plus.com/Download/News/PieceJointeInfo/fichier/374.pdf

MARKET NEWS

Aliaxis Holdings SA — Moody’s Assigns First-time Baa3 Rating to Aliaxis Holdings SA. (Breaking News)
https://cloud.excelplas.com/s/rxmQfGpLnEebvzw#pdfviewer​

Aliaxis Updates on 7yr EUR Benchmark (Breaking News)
https://www.ifre.com/story/3110623/aliaxis-updates-on-7yr-eur-benchmark-sfxdc26xvg

Georg Fischer (GF) Welcomes Top International Executive to the Board of Directors (Breaking News)
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GEORG-FISCHER-AG-68977/news/Georg-Fischer-GF-to-welcome-top-international-executive-to-the-Board-of-Directors-36757177/

Reliance Worldwide (RWC) to Acquire Plumbing Supply Manufacturer for $325 Million (Breaking News)
https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/RELIANCE-WORLDWIDE-CORPOR-27377768/news/Reliance-Worldwide-to-Acquire-Plumbing-Supply-Manufacturer-for-325-Million-36778722/

Reliance Worldwide (ASX:RWC) Share Price Falls Despite Acquisition News and Trading Update (Breaking News)
https://www.fool.com.au/2021/10/26/reliance-worldwide-asxrwc-share-price-falls-despite-acquisition-news-and-trading-update/

Reliance Worldwide (ASX:RWC) Reports on Sep Quarter & EZ-FLO Acquisition (Breaking News)
https://www.finnewsnetwork.com.au/archives/finance_news_network350058.html

PLASTIC PIPE FAILURE ANALYSIS

Failure Analysis of Plastic Pipes
If you are 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 finished 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 the early failure of PEX pipes 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 stabilizers present.
  • Scanning Microscopy on the 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

New 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 an 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 the 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.
For more information, contact [email protected]

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