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Effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of HDPE geomembranes in air
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of HDPE geomembranes in air

F. B. Abdelaal, R. K. Rowe, Y. G. Hsuan and R. Awad
Geosynthetics international, v 22(3), pp 207-224
01 Jan 2015

Abstract

Engineering Engineering, Geological Geology Geosciences, Multidisciplinary Materials Science Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Physical Sciences Science & Technology Technology
The effect of elevated temperatures, particularly between 95 and 115 degrees C as encountered in some geoenvironmental applications, on the physical and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes (GMBs) is examined. Four commercially available HDPE GMBs were incubated in air at temperatures >= 85 degrees C. Investigation of the thermograms by differential scanning calorimetry showed a significant change in the polymer morphology with an increase of the incubation temperature and duration, especially at 105 and 115 degrees C. The morphological changes due to annealing involve thickening of the lamella crystals of the polymer and a change in the tie molecules joining the lamella crystals. The effect of annealing was most evident in the stress crack resistance of the GMB incubated at 105 and 115 degrees C prior to polymer degradation. In particular, an increase in stress crack resistance due to annealing could mask the effects of polymer degradation at temperatures above 95 degrees C. Changes in morphology did not affect melt index whose changes were largely attributed to polymer degradation.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Geological
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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