materials feature | Polyolefin developments
for more than two years until a failure could be observed.
Meanwhile, Sabic has completed its Vestolen A pipe
portfolio with a new orange high density polyethylene (HDPE) grade for gas distribution. The grade, Vestolen A 6060R, is long-lasting and can
be used for mono- as well as for multi-layer co-extrud- ed pipes. It has good resistance to slow crack growth and rapid crack propagation, as it is classified as a PE100 compound and comes with a 10.0 MRS (Minimum Required Strength) rating. The grade builds on the existing Vestolen A range which is known as a reliable, low weight and easy to install HDPE material, says Sabic. Louis Loos, segment leader for pipes at Sabic said:
Sabic has completed its Vestolen A portfolio with an orange HDPE grade for gas distribution pipe
products. “These are typically the first points of failure and a major contributor to call-backs.” Dow’s new material eliminates the need for breaks at joints, which reduces the likelihood of leaks. According to Dow, the resin is the first product to meet US building codes and product standards for plumbing while also achieving Level 5 chlorine-resistance certifica- tion. This accreditation gives contractors and homebuild- ers the flexibility to install continuous loop, on-demand recirculation, and traditional plumbing systems. The material can be used as a drop-in replacement
for cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), with minimal tooling changes.
At the same time, pipes made from Dow’s Dowlex 2388 PR-RT resin have received the highest chlorine resistance certification (Class 5). The certification was issued by Jana Laboratories in Canada. The pipes were subjected to different temperatures and pressures at a chlorine concentration of 4.4 ppm and have been tested
PEX guidance
A 144-page design guide on cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) has recently been completely updated. The Residential PEX Water Supply Plumbing Systems Design Guide is now available online. The guide, which includes expanded information on green construction codes, can help homeowners, designers, builders, plumbers and architects plan and understand the features and benefits of a PEX pipe residential water system. It includes comprehensive design concepts and installation guidelines for the proper use of PEX pipe systems. The guide was a collaborative effort between the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), Home Innovation Research Labs, International Code Council (ICC) and Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA), and can be downloaded from the websites of all four organisations. “This edition includes many enhancements to manage increased usage of PEX systems in a
variety of residential applications such as water reuse and retrofitting,” said Randy Knapp, director of engineering of PPI’s Building and Construction Division (BCD). New information was added to almost every chapter including standards, all applicable
national plumbing, mechanical, and building codes including new green construction codes, updates to fitting systems, and new design information on fixture flow rates and water hammer.
14 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | March 2015
www.pipeandprofile.com
“We will continue to invest in the pipe industry, to antici- pate its future developments and requirements.” Because die deposits are significantly reduced during the extrusion process of the new grade, it also offers benefits to converters as the production process does not need to be interrupted as frequently as when using standard material – meaning that higher levels of throughput can be achieved. “When developing new materials we pay particular
attention to the conversion process. Vestolen A 6060R is an example of how we support converters to optimise their production process,” said Ralph Handstanger, technical marketing engineer for HDPE at Sabic Europe.
Multi-layer performance Massimiliano Fenili, technical manager of Tecnomatic, told delegates at last year’s Pipes in Infrastructure conference in Dusseldorf that multi-layer pipe can boost performance, and perform beyond the capability
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