Considerations for cold weather construction using high density polyethylene for corrosion control systems

Book · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:128726

Szklarz, K E; Baron, J J ^[1]

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1. Shell Canada Ltd., Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is commonly used as material for corrosion-resistant piping in the petroleum industry. It is used as thick-walled self-supporting linepipes, as internal liners for steel linepipe, and as protective jackets for insulated linepipes. In Canada, it is not uncommon for operations, such as pipeline installation, to be performed during the winter season when temperatures are in the 0 C to {minus}20 C range. Brittle failures of HDPE materials have been experienced during such sub-zero operations, particularly when pipe handling and bending is involved. This study evaluated the changes in HDPE mechanical properties within the temperature range of 10 C to {minus}40 C to understand any embrittlement phenomena that may be occurring. HDPE undergoes substantial increases in modulus and strength at lower temperatures and increasing strain rate. The changes are gradual and over a wide range of temperature with no sharp cut-off temperature at which brittle behavior will occur. Flexural properties behave in a similar manner. A notch, causing a local increased strain rate, has a significant effect on the failure behavior of HDPE material with a gradual transition in behavior of ductility and load at below 0 C.

• OSTI ID: 128726
• Report Number(s): CONF-950304--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BRITTLENESS
CANADA
CORROSION RESISTANCE
DAMAGE
DEFECTS
ELONGATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
PIPES
POLYETHYLENES
STRAINS
STRESSES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
YOUNG MODULUS