All about HDPE: what it is, the properties and application

Geomembranes are modern roll polymer materials, the thickness of which can vary from 1 to 4 mm. They are made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and other materials with a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm. As for its width, it can reach 7 m, and the main working characteristic is that the geomembrane is completely waterproof. This expands the scope of its use, which, including, and will be discussed below.

Properties

Today the geomembrane HDPE is very common, what it is, will be described in the article. Modern geomembranes based on polyethylene can have a textured or smooth surface. This will allow you to take advantage of the opportunity to choose when doing this or that kind of work. Among the main characteristics of this material can be distinguished high waterproofing qualities. Such materials have high physical and mechanical properties, which makes them universal. When they come into contact with liquids, the diffusion process can occur only at the molecular level. By the way, it can be noted that the material can be used in direct interaction with drinking water. Geomembranes are resistant to chemical reagents, they are non-shrinkable, flexible, and do not crack or undergo any kind of impact, without being damaged. The material is elongated under the action of a load up to 850%, and its tensile strength can be equal to 26.2 MPa.

Wear-resistant

If you are interested in the geomembrane HDPE, what it is, you must know. This material is resistant to the effects of solar radiation, temperature extremes, and can also be used in seismically hazardous areas. It is resistant to piercing and can be used for a wide range of tasks. Geomembranes can be applied in all climatic zones. If the rules of professional installation are observed, the life of the geomembrane can be up to 90 years.

Scope of use

Recently there has been an increasing use of the geomembrane HDPE. What is it, before you purchase it, you must definitely take an interest. This material has excellent physico-chemical characteristics, this makes it possible to use liquid and solid waste storage for the arrangement of anti-filtration screens, here it is possible to include toxic substances. The geomembrane is successfully used for the construction of reservoirs, landfills, manure storages, as well as for anti-corrosive waterproofing coating of metal, concrete and other structures, and can interact with drinking water during operation. On sale, you can find several types of geomembrane HDPE: Solmax 840, 860 and 880. Each of these materials - its characteristics of certain indicators. For example, the minimum average thickness in the first case is 1 mm, while in the second and third - 1.5 and 2 mm, respectively. The size of the roll is 6.8x238; 6.8x159; 6.8x122 mm, respectively, for each of the above varieties.

Density

The density of the material in all three cases is the same and can begin with a mark of 0.926 g / cm². As for the density of the membrane, it can be equal to 0.939 g / cm2, sometimes this value is greater. The content of soot in it can vary from 2 to 3%. The stress of the matrix with a relative elongation can be 14.7; 22% or 29%, respectively.

Additional Properties

Professional builders and home masters use the HDPE geomembrane - what it is, you should ask before you shop. This material has many advantages, among them - versatility, economy, high processability of installation, efficiency, as well as environmental friendliness. The functional qualities of the geomembrane provide the demand for the construction of structures for storing waste of different hazard classes. Such geomembranes are successfully used in landscape and hydrotechnical construction. The material is economical, its use reduces the cost of operation and construction. Regardless of the area of use, the application of the geomembrane reduces the amount of work, the amount of materials and allows the completion of the project in the shortest possible time. Geomembrane HDPE is also famous for its high processability. It consists in the fact that with a width of 7 m, the need for seams, which are performed by welding equipment, is reduced. Thus, the masters do not need to perform manually the seams at the joints of the panels.

Geomembranes are very durable and reliable in operation. Techniques are worked out, and the quality is at an altitude. Among other things, the material is completely ecological. It is used for the arrangement of objects of nature protection purpose. Based on the technical characteristics, it is possible to guarantee reliable insulation of structures, which eliminates the diffusion of pollution sources.

Features of application: preparatory stage

HDPE (polyethylene) must be laid on a previously prepared base, which is previously cleaned of stones, debris, organic matter and other materials that would be able to damage the blade. It also happens that the surface does not meet the requirements listed above, in these cases it is recommended to use the underlying protective layer, which consists of needle-punched textiles. It is important to take measures that would exclude the possibility of formation of fluid accumulation on the surface of the underlying layer.

Stacking material

The basis of geotextiles is HDPE. HDPE must conform to certain rules, which would not contradict the nature of this material. It is necessary to start work after drawing up the plan of installation. In this case, the dimensions and mutual arrangement of the webs, as well as the welding seams, are indicated in detail. Installation works should include the observance of certain points, among them - the direction and order of the installation, the designation of the cloths and welding seams, the arrangement of structures by the type of pipe releases and joining existing structures. The sheets should be positioned in such a way that the seams are not crossed at the same point. The minimum step between crossing points should be 0.5 m. HDPE (high density polyethylene - the basis of the material) must be laid with an overlap width of 100 to 150 mm. It is necessary to adhere to this rule in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The master should take care of the minimum number of welded joints made by extrusion.

On the slopes, the material must be laid down from the top, with special tools called traverses. To fix the geomembrane on the upper edge of the slope, provision should be made for the presence of anchor trenches. If there is a need to strengthen the geomembrane to the concrete surface, special fastening elements should be prepared, such as pressure plates and dowels, geomembrane strips. The latter should be fastened beforehand to the concrete surface with dowels. Fixing parts can also serve as fixing elements .

Recommendations for welding

Whatever geomembrane you use, HDPE 1.5 mm or any other thickness, weld seams should be carried out with the help of special equipment that produces hot air. An alternative option can be a hot wedge or a combined method. The latter option allows you to perform two seams, which will have a test channel. Thereafter, it will be possible to control the quality of the welded joint. If it is necessary to work in hard-to-reach places or zones of engineering communications, then it is best to use the technology of extrusion welding.

Instead of concluding

The density of HDPE, which was mentioned above, may be of interest not only to professionals in their field, but also to experienced home masters who plan to use this material in their work. Among other things, you may be interested in some other unique properties of geomembranes. Among them is also an inertness in relation to alkalis and acids, which have a pH in the range of 1.5 to 14. As practice shows, heat treatment does not cause aging, but the standard guarantee for the material for self-packing is 75 years.