Polyurea External Layer for Impact-Resistant RTR Piping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber reinforced composite piping systems are susceptible to impact damage, especially in buried applications, where visual inspection and repair are challenging, and there is a need for a non-metallic pipe that is resistant to impact, abrasion, and UV damage for both underground and aboveground use.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer reinforced thermoplastic resin pipe with a core layer of polyester-, vinylester-, or epoxy-based resin and glass or carbon fibers, protected by an outer polyurea-based layer that includes aliphatic and aromatic functional groups, which is applied during the manufacturing process to enhance impact resistance and UV protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fiber reinforced composite piping system is used, then the pipe can be non-metallic and suitable for chemical transport, but it is susceptible to impact damage especially in buried applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fiber reinforced thermosetting resin with an outer polyurea-based layer. This multi-layer composite structure integrates the chemical resistance of the thermosetting resin core with the impact resistance of the polyurea outer layer, resolving the contradiction between chemical transport suitability and impact resistance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pipe is buried to protect it from environmental damage, then it is protected from UV and abrasion, but visual inspection and repair become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating an impact-resistant polyurea outer layer during manufacturing, which proactively prevents impact damage before it occurs. This eliminates the need for reactive repair measures and enables proactive inspection regimes, resolving the contradiction between environmental protection and ease of repair.
3Reliability
If the outer polyurea-based layer is made thicker to improve impact resistance, then impact and UV protection is enhanced, but the pipe complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the thickness and composition of the polyurea outer layer to achieve the minimum required protection level. By carefully controlling the layer parameters (thickness, material composition), the patent achieves adequate impact and UV protection while minimizing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a reinforced thermosetting resin piping system that is protected from external impact and UV damage by an outer polyurea-based layer. The embodiments described herein can be favorably used for underground and aboveground applications. In some implementations, an RTR pipe includes a core layer that includes a resin and fibers, an outer layer that includes a polyurea-based layer, and an interface layer between the core layer and the outer layer. The methods described herein also outline the process of producing the pipe structure.