PPN- The Leading Source of Industry News on Polymer Pipes and Plastic Pipe Testing
Global News on Plastic Piping and Fittings
NEWSMAKERS: * AGRU * BASF * BiAx Technology * Driscopipe® * EPA * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * GRP * IPLEX * PE100 * PIPA * PPI * PPN * PVC * Rehau * Reliance Worldwide Corporation * SABIC * TOTAL * TUBI * Uni-Bell * Uponor
INDUSTRY NEWS
Sale of Tubi Assets — Global Leader in HDPE Pipe Manufacturing
https://www.plasticsnews.com/sponsored-content/sale-tubi-assets-global-leader-hdpe-pipe-manufacturing
SABIC: PE and PP Resins for Pressure-Pipe Manufacturing / Development of BiAx Pipe Technology
https://www.plasteurope.com/news/SABIC_t248543/
Case Study: AGRU HDPE Pipe Used to Support Trunk Sewer Upgrades at Three Mile Creek
https://agruamerica.com/our-projects/agru-hdpe-pipe-sewer-three-mile-creek/
TOTAL Patents Conductive HDPE Composite with Nanographene and Carbon nanotubes for Pressure Pipe Applications
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/11118039.html
BASF Debuts IrgaCycle® Additives to Improve Properties of Recycled Plastics from Recycled HDPE Pipes
https://www.plasticstoday.com/additivescolorants/basf-debuts-irgacycle-additives-improve-properties-mechanically-recycled-plastics
PIPE FAILURE
Study of Deflection of Buried HDPE Corrugated Pipeline under the Uneven Settlement of Soil
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12205-021-0073-2
Leakage Analysis of Steel Wire Reinforced Polyethylene Composite Pipe Used for Waste Water Transportation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1350630721006117
Distributions of Fracture Properties in Tensile Stretching of High-Density Polyethylene Pipe
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00944
Numerical Simulation of Strength Failure of Buried Polyethylene Water Supply Pipe Under Subsoil Settlement
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11668-021-01240-5
GRP PIPE
The Use of Fibre-Reinforced Polymeric Composites in Pipelines: A Review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263822321010576
JOBS
IPLEX Pipelines Seeking Polymer Technician
https://www.careerone.com.au/jobview/polymer-technician/8b1f5394-5731-45d1-8821-2594770b6914
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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/
Why Uponor PEX Pipes are Failing (Class Action)
Because the outside surface of Uponor PEX is depleted of antioxidants after the flame treatment, the outside surface prematurely becomes brittle and develops microcracks when the tubing is expanded during installation
https://www.classaction.org/news/discontinued-red-blue-uponor-pex-piping-plagued-by-cracking-defect-class-action-alleges#
NIBCO Defective PEX Pipe $7.65M Class Action Settlement
Claims based on qualifying leaks occurring after the settlement effective date and before the end of the Claim Period, May 16, 2025
https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/household/1027632-alabama-and-texas-nibco-defective-products-7-65m-class-action-settlement/
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
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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
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 john@excelplas.com
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