The prediction test for life period of polymer pipes

In this paper the prediction test for a life it period of polymer pipes has been worked out and it is based on the prolonged fracture mechanics. A subcritical crack growth of the initiated defects, crack types in polymer material under the influencing of the external mediums, which model the exploitation conditions are being investigated. On the base of the obtained results we make a conclusion about the suitability of pipe polymer material for certain exploitation conditions and calculate their life period. A polyethylene of a low and high pressure, polystyrene and plasticat were chosen for the investigations. The proposed method was checked on a temporary base during 3 years under the real exploitation conditions and confirmed the correctness of this approach.