Thermal Analysis of Nonwoven Polyester Geotextiles

Abstract

Traditional methods of characterizing the durability of geotextiles often lack the precision and sensitivity needed in short-term aging tests. In an effort to differentiate between thermal and chemical effects, thermal analysis and physical property testing were used to study nonwoven, polyester geotextiles aged at ambient and elevated temperatures in controlled environments conducive to hydrolysis of polyester. Samples were exposed to deionized water, aqueous sodium hydroxide, and aqueous calcium hydroxide. Three thermal analytical techniques were used to characterize aged and unaged bulk samples of geotextiles: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In addition to assessing changes in various physical properties, solution viscosities were performed on aged and unaged samples. In general, of the three thermal analytical techniques used, DSC is the most promising method for bulk geotextile characterization.