Creating a technical database on the uniformity of PEX-a pipe and the effect of environmental stresses

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

PexCor Manufacturing is a company based in Calgary, AB that manufactures high quality and affordablePEX-a crosslinked polyethylene pipe for use in industrial and household plumbing and heating applications.The Dutcher Laboratory at the University of Guelph will build on the success of our current Engage projectwith PexCor to create a technical database for the uniformity of crosslinking of PEX-a pipe and the effect ofenvironmental stresses on changes to the pipe. We will use infrared (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction(XRD) to characterize the radial and circumferential profiles of the pipe with respect to uniformity ofcrosslinking, orientation, as well as the degree of oxidation following accelerated aging tests. Thesemeasurements will provide PexCor with a competitive advantage that will allow the company to maintain andincrease its North American market share and make a significant contribution to the economy of Canada. Thiscontinued collaboration between PexCor and the Dutcher Laboratory initiated by the original Engage grant isexpected to lead to further research collaboration opportunities such as studying how other properties, e.g.structural and mechanical, influence the performance and lifetime of PEX-a pipe.