October 2022 Vol. 5

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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:  * Aliaxis * Blansol * Borealis * ExcelPlas * Exxon Mobil * Failure Analysis * GF Piping * Graphene * IPEX * Iplex * K2022 * Microplastics * Nanoplastics * Polybutylene Pipe Failures * PPN * PP-R Pipe Failures * PPSU Fittings * Rehau * Rautitan™ * SABIC * Uponor

INDUSTRY NEWS

Uponor to Close its Pressure Pipe Factory in Denmark Due to Profitability Concerns (40 Employees Affected)
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/10/27/2542499/0/en/Uponor-to-close-down-its-factory-in-
Middelfart-Denmark.html

Polybutylene (PB-1) Pipes Failures on the Rise in Australia
https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/pipe-nightmare-perth-homeowners-consider-class-action-
against-builder-20221024-p5bshv.html

IPEX Seeking Financial Business Partner for Extrusion of Advanced Plastic Piping
https://apply.workable.com/ipex/j/EA09AFC8F6/

Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund to Complete the Sale of its 25% Stake in Borealis 
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/omv-ceo-mubadalas-25-share-borealis-will-likely-change-ownership-2022-10-
28/

Plastic Pipes Contribution to the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbRPv8n5NkA

Impressive Video of Burst Testing of PE-Xa Pipe Rautitan Flex at 7 Times Maximum Operating Pressure
https://m.facebook.com/rehausea/videos/1226060720894561/?locale2=ps_AF&_rdr

Exxon Mobil Develops New Process for Making PE-RT Pipes
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/11479624.pdf

Thermal Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelets Reinforced Crosslinked PEX and Short Chain Branched Polyethylenes (PERT) for Geothermal Pipe Applications
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/masy.202100225

Advantages of PPSU Fittings for Multilayer Pipes and PEX Pipes (Video)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4icdfGQFX_A

AVOIDING PIPE FAILURES

How to Prevent Catastrophic PEX Pipe Failures
https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/4921841/Boshart%20Industries%20-
%20How%20to%20Prevent%20Catastrophic%20Plumbing%20Failure%20eBook.pdf

Designing PEX Plumbing Systems to Avoid Failure
https://www.vectorsolutions.com/course-details/designing-pex-plumbing-systems-to-optimize-performance-and-
efficiency/42d3ec53-000d-e811-a97d-02ec32550f44

NEW RESEARCH

New Method for Analysis of Permeation of Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrocarbons Through HDPE Pipes
Permeation of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons through HDPE pipes may cause environmental problems
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/macp.202200208

Effect of Certain Hydrocarbon Compounds on HDPE Water Pipes [PDF]
https://revmaterialeplastice.ro/pdf/8 ANTYPAS 3 22.pdf

Sonic Assessment of Physical Ageing of Plastic Pipes
Storage modulus of polymer pipes change with ageing
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022460X22005764

Stress-Crack Resistance and Life Prediction of Corrugated Recycled and Virgin HDPE Pipes Used in Road Drainage Systems
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004522

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
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

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]

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