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Accelerated Hydrothermal Aging and Degradation Mechanism of PE100 Butt-Fusion Welded Joint
Summary
Researchers simulated the long-term aging of high-density polyethylene pipeline welded joints in water at various temperatures and found that higher temperatures caused more significant degradation of mechanical properties. The study used multiple characterization techniques to reveal changes in the molecular structure of the joints during hydrothermal aging. These findings help predict the service life of HDPE pipelines used in ocean energy transportation and inform strategies to mitigate aging-related failures.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines are extensively utilized in energy transportation in the ocean. However, long-term exposure to water can alter the performance of HDPE, potentially leading to pipeline accidents. This study focuses on simulating the aging characteristics of PE100 polyethylene pipeline butt-fusion welded joints (B-FWJs) in water using hydrothermal accelerated aging experiments at various temperature gradients. The performance of the B-FWJ after hydrothermal aging was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), oxidation induction time (OIT), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. Furthermore, this study analyzed the performance characteristics and changes in the micro-molecular chains of an HDPE B-FWJ pipeline following hydrothermal aging. An investigation was conducted into the effects of hydrothermal aging temperature and duration on the physical and chemical characteristics of HDPE B-FWJ, and the aging mechanism under hydrothermal aging conditions was explored. The results indicate that increasing hydrothermal aging temperature leads to a more significant decrease in the mechanical properties of the B-FWJ. These findings contribute to understanding the aging behavior of PE100 pipelines in the joint section and offer insights to mitigate the risks associated with the aging of and damage to B-FWJ pipelines in the ocean.