PIPEX (Production and Process Design of Crosslinkable Polyethylene Suitable for Pipe Production)

Project Details

Project Name: PIPEX
Production and Process Design of Crosslinkable Polyethylene Suitable for Pipe Production
Project Date: 01.03.2013- 31.03.2015
Project Duration: 37 Months
Project Budget: : 670.000 TL
Funding Programme:TÜBİTAK 1501 Industrial R&D Projects Grant Programme-TEYDEB
Outputs:
1.A formulation was developed for the production of crosslinkable polyethylene (XLPE).
2.An extruder screw-barrel system design was developed by using simulation programs for the production of XLPE.
Key Words: Extrusion, polyethylene, blend, design, PEX.

Project Summary

Polyethylene is one of the most used polymers due to its low cost, easily processability, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and non-toxic properties. The aim of producing crosslinkable polyethylene in this project is to increase the thermal resistance of the material under load. While the maximum operation temperature for polyethylene pipes is around 60 °C, the operation temperature of the crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipes can be increased up to 100 °C at least, depending on the initial density and the degree and type of crosslinking. By this means, PEX pipes are widely used in hot water distribution, floor heating systems and radiators. Within the scope of this project, polyethylene blends, which are suitable for PEX pipe production, were obtained and a formulation was developed for crosslinkable polyethylene (XLPE) production. In addition, extruder screw-barrel system design was developed for XLPE production with the help of simulation programs.