Low Velocity Impact Resistance of CPVC Pipes Exposed to Natural Outdoor Weathering Conditions

Abstract

Low velocity drop weight impact testing of CPVC pipes was conducted on 160 mm long pipe sections obtained from 4-inch (100 mm) diameter schedule 80 pipes. Impact test were carried out for the base (as received) pipes and after their exposure to out door natural weathering conditions in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The results of the impact testing on the natural (outdoor exposure) broadly suggest that the natural outdoor exposures produce no change in the impact resistance of CPVC pipe material for the impact events carrying low incident energies of 10 and 20J. At the impact energies of 35 and 50J the natural outdoor exposures appear to cause appreciable degradation in the impact resistance of the CPVC pipe material. This degradation is noted only for the longer exposure periods of 12 and 18 months.