Stress Crack Resistance of Corrugated High-Density Polyethylene Pipes in Different Test Environments and Temperatures

Abstract

Corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe 36 in. (900 mm) in diameter was evaluated for its stress crack resistance with the notched constant ligament stress test (ASTM F 2136). Test specimens were taken directly from the pipe liner to include the processing effects. In addition to the standard test condition of 10% Igepal solution at 50°C, tests were performed in water and air at temperatures of 60°, 70°, and 80°C. The test data were analyzed with the ISO 9080 method to define the transition point and ductile-to-brittle curve. The results indicate that the 10% Igepal solution greatly accelerates the stress cracking process, whereas the stress cracking behavior in water and in air is aggressive and practically the same. Activation energies in both ductile and brittle portions of the curve are in general agreement with the literature for HDPE resins. The results indicate that the rate processing method is an accurate model with which to extrapolate data from elevated test temperatures to lower service temperatures. However, Popelar's shift method tends to overestimate the failure times.

Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Density Polyethylene at Different Environmental Conditions with Outstanding Foamability through In-Situ Rubber Nanofibrillation: Exploring the Impact of Interface Modification

“…Therefore, it is imperative for HDPE pipes to exhibit ductile behavior at subzero temperatures to prevent crack propagation and reduce maintenance costs in such extreme environments. 10,11 Polymer blending represents an efficient and cost-effective strategy for enhancing polymer properties. 12,13 A substantial body of the literature showcases studies that have implemented thermoplastic elastomers to enhance the toughness of HDPE.…”

“…These pipelines are buried underground and are consistently exposed to shear forces. Therefore, it is imperative for HDPE pipes to exhibit ductile behavior at subzero temperatures to prevent crack propagation and reduce maintenance costs in such extreme environments. , …”

“…10.1021/acsami.4c05589. SEM images of HDPE/TPEE (80/20) with no compatibilizer, 2 wt.% PE-g-MA, 2 wt.% POE-g-MA, and 2 wt.% SEBS-g-MA; potential reaction and compatibility between HDPE, SEBS-g-MA, and TPEE; FTIR spectra of HDPE, SEBS-g-MA, TPEE, and HDPE/TPEE (80/20) with 2 wt.% SEBS-g-MA; calculation of nanofiber's aspect ratio for CTPEE-NF (5%) and TPEE-NF (5%); SEM images of foamed HDPE at 125, 130, 135, 140, and 145 °C; stress−strain curves for the neat HDPE, (compatibilized) CTPEE-S blends, (noncompatibilized) TPEE-NF composites, and (compatibilized) CTPEE-NF composites for 10 wt.% TPEE at room temperature and −40 °C; DSC thermograms at 10 °C min-1 of the HDPE neat, compatibilized nanofibrillar, compatibilized spherical, and non-compatibilized nanofibrillar samples at various compositions; variation of crystallinity with TPEE content obtained from nonisothermal DSC tests; and neat HDPE, compatibilized nanofibrillar, spherical and non-compatibilized nanofibrillar HDPE/TPEE composites' enthalpy of melting, T m peak, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity (PDF)…”