Abrasive wear resistance and service life of pipes made of fiber-glass composite

Abstract

This article presents studies of the abrasive wear resistance of fiber-glass composite pipes inner surface, which are laid us-ing microtunneling technology under construction of drinking water pipes, irrigation and sewerage systems. Due to a very smooth inner surface, the pipes have a high coefficient of fluid flow speed transmission through the pipe and a low coeffi-cient of roughness. When in long-term operation, the movement of water and solid particles through the pipeline eventually causes wear of inner walls of the pipe. The study of data on abrasive wear and abrasive resistance of fiber-glass composite pipes allows calculating the pipeline's operability under controlled conditions, predicting the period of trouble-free opera-tion of pipelines and making a reasonable choice of material for pipeline manufacturing. The objects of the study of glass composite pipes samples were selected, manufactured by LLC «New Pipe Technologies» using the method of continuous winding with an inner layer based on: orthophthalic polyester, isophthalic polyester and vinyl ester resins. The assessment of the overall wear resistance of the inner surface of the pipes was fulfilled using test equipment according to the Darmstadt method (GOST R 55877-2013, method B). This method allows simulating the abrasion and wear of linings and pipes that may occur in real operating conditions. Crushed quartz was used as an abrasive material. According to the results of the research, the arithmetic mean values of wear and safety coefficients of fiber-glass composite pipes were deter-mined depending on the number of test cycles. The data were used to select the most promising material as a polymer matrix for the production of fiberglass pipes both for water supply and sewerage.