September 2021 Vol. 3

Download PDF

PPN- The Leading Source of Industry News on Polymer Pipes and Plastic Pipe Testing

Global News on Plastic Piping and Fittings


NEWSMAKERS:  * Aliaxis * Borealis * Bornewables * Driscopipe® * EPA * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * HeatLink® * IPEX * PE100 * PIPA * PPI * PPN * PVC * Rehau * Reliance Worldwide Corporation * RWC * TESTRON * Uni-Bell * Uponor

INDUSTRY NEWS

Massive Gas Explosion in US Caused by Prematurely Degrading HDPE Pipes Say Gas Authority (Breaking News)
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler-breaking/2021/09/08/chandler-explosion-caused-human-reporting-error-says-southwest-gas/5773261001/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZH6aUbbIj4

Landmark EPA Lawsuit for Failure to Regulate PVC and PVC Products as Hazardous Waste (Breaking News)
https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-seeks-to-regulate-plastic-as-hazardous-waste-2021-08-19/

Borealis, Uponor Infra to Develop Sustainable Plastic Pipe (Breaking News)
The product utilizes Borealis Bornewables, a portfolio of circular polyolefin products manufactured with renewable feedstocks, which offer the same material performance as virgin polyolefins
https://www.process-worldwide.com/borealis-uponor-infra-to-develop-sustainable-plastic-pipe-a-1054854/

PIPA Uploads New Version of Recommendation for PE Pipe and Fitting Compounds (POP004)
https://pipa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/PIPA-POP004-Polyethylene-Pipe-and-Fittings-Compound-Issue-26-September-2021.pdf

IPEX North America (an Aliaxis Company) Publish their 2021 Pipe and Fitting Catalogue [PDF]
https://www.ipexna.com/media/13232/catalogue-en-ipex-mechanical-systems.pdf

PVC Pipe Highlights at Plastic Pipes XX – Day 2 (Breaking News)
https://pvc4pipes.com/2021/09/07/pvc-pipe-highlights-at-plastic-pipes-xx-day-2/

PVC Pipe Association Publishes Design Guide for PVC Pipe 2021 [PDF]
https://www.uni-bell.org/Portals/0/ResourceFile/force-main-design-guide-for-pvc-pipe.pdf

Major Fire Breaks Out Plastic Pipe Factory In India (Breaking News)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fHIAlJ5rg4

Borealis Patent New HDPE Pipe Resin (Breaking News)
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP3464457B1.pdf

Rehau RE.GUARD® Smart Leak Detection System Protects Homes from Leaks and Burst Pipes
https://www.hvpmag.co.uk/Plumberparts-protects-Essex-home-from-leaks-with-REHAU-RE.GUARD/12682

HeatLink Publish Technical Bulletin on their PEX Piping [PDF]
https://www.heatlink.com/sites/default/files/Info%20Sheet/L2305_INFO_5_PEX_Tubing_Technical_Information.pdf

FAILURE ANALYSIS & PREVENTION

Forensic Geotechnical Investigations into Varied Pipeline Failures
https://www.springerprofessional.de/en/forensic-geotechnical-investigations-into-varied-pipeline-failur/19388338

Exposure to POE Oil Can Be Disastrous to HVAC Plastic Piping
To avoid the risk of catastrophic failure of an indirect waste pipe system, avoid specifying materials like CPVC, PVC or ABS where there is potential of exposure to POE oil
https://www.esdglobal.com/news/article/exposure-to-poe-oil-can-be-disastrous-to-hvac-plastic-piping/

TESTING EQUIPMENT

TESTRON delivers Advanced Pipe Testing Equipment to USA and Canada
https://www.testrongroup.com/pipe-testing-equipment-canada-and-usa/

JOBS

RWC Seeking Quality Engineer for London Role
https://uk.linkedin.com/jobs/view/quality-engineer-at-reliance-worldwide-corporation-emea-2707285710?refId-LfVz1tdbZ4TG0cMKZtOpEg-&trackingId-MFQ6TyzpD57qQyUogHTdaw

RWC Seeking Product Manager EMEA – Pipes and Fittings
https://www.monster.co.uk/job-openings/product-manager-emea-pipes-and-fittings-west-drayton-eng–7ac3ec36-f362-4609-aaef-affb7a5f7b38

PLASTIC 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/

Cautionary Warning:  Some HDPE 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 HDPE 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 HDPE 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/

Australian 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 3 mm to 80 mm. ExcelPlas Laboratories provide a comprehensive service to Industrial & commercial companies, environmental consultants, Government bodies and local Authority customers throughout Australia & NZ. All testing is carried and out in accordance with ISO & ASTM methods and is fully accredited to ISO 17025 by NATA.
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 20mm 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/

2021 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.