MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PA 12 AND HDPE PIPES BEFORE AND AFTER AGING IN WATER AT TWO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

Polymer pipes are being widely used by many industrial segments. Although not affected by corrosion, the mechanical performance of these pipes can be reduced due to exposure to temperature, UV radiation and by contact with various fluids. Depending on the deterioration process, embrittlement or plasticization may occur, and the service life of the pipe can be severely reduced. In this work, the combined action of temperature and water upon the mechanical performance of polyamide 12 and high-density polyethylene pipes is evaluated. Destructive and non-destructive techniques were used and the performance of both materials was compared. Both polymers were platicized by the effect of water. However, for high density polyethylene the effect of temperature was more relevant than for polyamide. This behavior was attributed to the dependence of the free volume with the markedly different glass transition temperature of the polymers and the temperatures of testing.