What Is a Geomembrane?
A geomembrane is a synthetic membrane liner used to control fluid migration in a manmade project, structure or system. These liner products are typically made from continuous polymer sheets or from the infusion of geotextiles with asphalt or bitumen.
These impermeable liners are resistant to chemicals and provide reliable leakage control for industrial applications. They also have high resistance to temperature and UV exposure.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is an extremely versatile, petroleum-based thermoplastic polymer and one of the most popular materials used in manufacturing today. It has excellent impact strength, chemical resistance, and low levels of water absorption. It can be used in a wide variety of situations and is highly recyclable, providing a lesser impact on the environment.
When compared to low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene has slightly higher density and a greater tensile strength. This is due to a lower degree of branching within the linear molecules, offering stronger intermolecular forces. It is highly resistant to corrosion and is able to withstand high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for use in many applications.
This material can be easily molded into various shapes and can be welded or injection molded for more complex applications. This material is also highly durable and has a good tensile strength that provides the strength needed to resist flexing or deformation under pressure. In addition, this plastic can be formulated to have effective UV resistance, making it ideal for outdoor use in a variety of applications such as:
Reinforced Polypropylene (RPP)
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most used plastics in the world due to its excellent processing characteristics, good chemical resistance, and light weight. It is also a biodegradable and recyclable material. It has many uses and applications, including manufacturing containers, bottles, and other industrial products. PP can be formed into semi-rigid or flexible forms, depending on the amount of ethylene it contains. PP with 2-3% ethylene is semi-rigid and is used for things like your catsup bottle, while PP without ethylene is more flexible.
In order to improve the mechanical properties of PP, it is often reinforced with different materials. These can be either rigid granular fillers, such as silica, geomembrane liner or fibers, such as basalt or carbon fiber. The addition of these materials has the potential to increase tensile strength, impact resistance, and hardness. However, the tensile and impact strengths of RPP/SGF composites are lesser than that of virgin PP.
The results obtained from the tensile tests of the RPP/SGF composites showed that the initial thermal decomposition temperature of the rPP/SGF samples increases with increasing fiber percentage. Moreover, the crystalline analysis of the rPP/SGF samples shows that a higher fiber percentage decreases their crystallinity. Furthermore, the SEM micrographs of the cross-sectional fracture surfaces revealed that the untreated SGF fibers did not interact well with the rPP matrix.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
This elastomeric rubber is produced through copolymerization of ethylene with propylene using either a metallocene or Ziegler-Natta catalyst. It is the most common synthetic rubber in use, and one of the best choices for roofing membranes due to its durability, resistance to UV and weathering damage, and water resistance. EPDM also resists heat and steam, acts as an electrical insulator, and is chemically inert. It can be made into a wide variety of products such as weather stripping, seals for refrigerator and freezer doors, face masks for industrial respirators, tubing, garden hoses, and rubber gaskets. It can also be foamed with blowing agents to create sponge rubber, which has excellent resilience and elasticity of compression.
In addition to its low cost and good weatherability, EPDM is also highly recyclable. Green 3D Geomat This material is used in a number of green roof projects that allow for the growth of plants and trees over urban areas, increasing outdoor space for pedestrians and reducing the amount of energy required to keep indoors warm.
The versatility of this rubber is evident in its extensive automotive applications. It is commonly found in the manufacture of door and window seals, as well as brake systems. In fact, EPDM is the most popular choice for these safety-related parts of a vehicle due to its resiliency and flexibility. It is also used to produce air and water system O-rings, accumulator bladders, diaphragms, and belts.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP is used in many products due to its cost-effectiveness, moisture resistance, durability and chemical resistance. It’s also easy to manufacture into a variety of shapes and sizes and can be pigmented to create a wide range of color options. PP can also be reinforced with other materials to improve its performance.
Rigid packaging accounts for a large portion of the market for PP film, including bottles, bags, trays and closures. Stackable, collapsible crates are a good use of PP for material handling, as they offer easy storage and scalability for Just-in-Time (JIT) supply chain operations.
Because of its high levels of microbiological and chemical resistance, PP is widely used in medical applications. It’s known best in the industry for its synthetic, non-absorbable suture Prolene, which is used by surgeons during hernia repair procedures. It’s also used in disposable syringes, Petri dishes and laboratory containers.
PP is also used in textiles and fibers, such as ropes, twine, tape and carpets, for its toughness and versatility. It’s a popular choice for sportswear, especially in cold-weather base layers and sports accessories like drawstring backpacks and duffel bags, as it offers thermal protection and moisture control. Its insulating properties make it ideal for the production of electrical and electronic components. It’s also a good choice for automotive parts, such as battery casings, instrument panels and bumpers, due to its lightweight, impact resistance and ease of molding.