Short-Term Performance of Corrugated HDPE Pipe Made with and Without Recycled Resins

Abstract

AbstractHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes have been introduced in various infrastructure sectors as cost-effective pipes due to their physicochemical and mechanical properties. The HDPE pipes have corrosion, chemical resistance, good flexibility and low maintenance costs. However, as compared to HDPE pipes made with recycled resins, using these pipes from virgin resins will lead to increased costs as well as environmental impacts. Therefore, using the pipes from recycled resins is essential. The HDPE pipes need to be manufactured from recycled resins but must ensure the properties and strength from virgin resins. The objectives of this work are to determine the short-term properties as well as to compare the performance of HDPE pipes manufactured from virgin resins and recycled resins. The HDPE pipes are collected from one company to analyze important material properties affecting the pipe durability, such as tensile strength, density, softening point, thermal stability and carbon black content. These physical properties were tested by MTS Universal Testing Machines, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results of these short-term tests can be used to estimate a lot of information about the long-term material serviceability.KeywordsHigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipesInfrastructuresPhysicochemical and mechanical propertiesVirgin resinsRecycled resinsThe short-term properties