XR-5 Geomembranes to Contain Fluid and Prevent Harmful Leaks

Author: jelerylcomisky | Posted: 19.04.2012

Containment of environmental hazards is a complicated task. Different materials have been used before for enclosing various fluids, but these have failed due to the weak material of the container. Plastic innovations paved the way for geomembranes, a very strong material that can hold various fluids.

Geomembranes are made of impermeable membranes of polymeric structure that is usually used to solve civil engineering problems. These membranes are usually made of various materials that are derivatives of plastic. Each geomembrane material has different characteristics which affect installation, durability, and performance. The material’s properties include thickness, density, water vapor transmission, solvent vapor transmission, and melt flow index.

Geomembrane thickness can be measured using a standard thickness test in which a gauge under 20 kilopascals (unit for pressure) is applied for 5 seconds. The water vapor transmission, on the other hand, is the amount of water that can pervade the geomembrane. The solvent vapor index measures the flow of vapors in addition to the water vapor through the membrane liner, while the melt flow index measures the fluidity of molten geomembrane.

Geomembranes are mostly used in canals and ponds as liners; it is used to contain hazardous wastes and their leachates. Leachates are liquids that may have passed through these membranous materials that may contain substances harmful to the environment. These may come from landfills which have waste precipitating liquid that percolates through the dump coming in contact with a decomposing waste that contaminates and flows out of the material. In certain cases, geomembranes are reinforced with geotextiles that act as protection and an escape route for gasses and leachates.

The XR-5 geomembranes are the most durable and strongest geomembranes used today. They are required to be used in wastewater impoundments, landfill liners, floating covers, tank farms, and potable water projects. They endure the hardest and the most difficult environments. They are also employed in the containment of chemicals, oils, and environmental hazards that may be placed in extremely hot or cold climates.

Through hot or cold conditions, the XR-5 geomembranes retain its flexibility and performance. They are highly resistant and non-degradable. They can also resist tear and puncture and remain stable under temperature fluctuations and heavy loads.

With these properties, it is impossible for leakages to happen and leachates to escape. The XR-5 geomembranes provide over 300% higher puncture strength and over 200% tensile strength, lessening the probability of containment failure. For added information about geomembranes, you may visit journals.elsevier.com/geotextiles-and-geomembranes or wisegeek.com/what-are-geomembranes.htm.

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