What Does
Polymer Concrete Mean?
Polymer concrete is concrete made by using thermosetting polyester resin to bond high-quality quartz aggregates under controlled temperature and moisture conditions.
After curing the bonding agent i.e. polyester resin imparts properties such as elasticity, corrosion-resistance, and fracture-resistance.
Pipes made with polymer concrete are the right choice for pipelines where high-strength and corrosion resistance are highly desirable. These pipes can withstand flows with a pH range of 1 to 12.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Polymer Concrete
The polymer concrete pipe is manufactured using a vertical casting process. The right amount of material is pre-mixed using highly sensitive computerized equipment that controls the raw material quantities, mixing sequences and material feed.
The pre-mixed material is then loaded into the vertical molds and compacted using vibration to ensure an even, dense and void-free structure. The primary polymerization reaction takes place under specific temperature ranges within 45 to 60 minutes.
Once the structure of the pipe is set, the molds are removed and the pipes are cured in a curing chamber for 4 – 6 hours. The pipes are then tested to ensure they meet the recommended standards.
Polymer concrete pipes are most suitable for pipe jacking in microtunneling operations due to its high resistance to compressive forces during the jacking process.
The non-absorbent, smooth and even outer pipe surface also reduces friction during jacking.