Modern Bimodal High Density Polyethylene for the Nuclear Power Plant Piping System

Abstract

Originally introduced in the 1990s, bimodal HDPE, pipe resins are still finding new niches today, including even nuclear power plants. HDPE pipe grades are used to make strong, corrosion resistant and durable pipes. High density polyethylene, PE 4710, is the material of choice of the nuclear industry for the Safety Related Service Water System. This grade of polymer is characterized by a Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB) of 1600 psi at 73 °F and 1000 psi at 140 °F. Additionally bimodal high density PE 4710 grades display >2000 hours slow crack growth resistance, or PENT. HD PE 4710 grades are easy to extrude into large diameter pipes; fabricate into fitting and mitered elbows and install in industrial settings. The scope of this paper is to describe the bimodal technology which produces HDPE pipe grade polymer; the USA practices of post reactor melt blending of natural resin compound with black masterbatch; and the attributes of such compound and its conformance to the nuclear industry’s Safety Related Service Water System.