No.

1 of 19
Polymers for Geosynthetics
by
Dr. Don Bright
The Tensar Corporation

The information presented in this document has been reviewed by the Education
Committee of the International Geosynthetics Society and is believed to fairly
represent the current state of practice.

However, the International Geosynthetics Society does not accept any liability
arising in any way from use of the information presented.
Presentation

Polymers
Principal polymers in Geosynthetics
Principal polymer chemical configurations
Polymerization
Molecular weight & its importance
Elements of deterioration and degradation
Controlling impact of deteriorative elements
Polymers: By Definition

Polymers are macromolecular structures formed

by the chemical union (polymerization) of many
(poly) repeat mono units (mers) of a specific
chemical configuration.

The polymerization process results in a long

molecular structure of the monomer unit.
Polymer Chains

H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H
| | polymerization | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
C=C = -C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H

Monomer Polymer
Polymers By Classification
Polymers are either inorganic or organic with the
latter being the more predominant.

Inorganic polymers comprise only a few

compounds.

Organic polymers are principally derivatives of

petroleum.

Organic polymers are classified as natural,

semisynthetic, or synthetic.
Classification Of Polymers
Inorganic Organic
Siloxanes Natural Polymers
Silicones Polysaccharides
Sulfur Chains Insulin
DNA
Semisynthetic
Polymers
Rayon
Cellulose Acetate
Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers are subdivided

into principal categories:

Thermoset Polymers

Thermoplastic Polymers
Thermoset Resins
Are polymers, that once are fully cured, cannot
be resoftened with heat and reprocessed.

Examples
Epoxies
Phenolics
Rubbers
Elastomers
Thermoplastic Resins
Are polymers that can be resoftened repeatedly
with heat and reprocessed.

Examples
Polyolefins
Vinyl polymers
Polyesters
Engineering polymers
Fluorocarbons
Examples Of Polyolefins

Polyethylene

Polypropylene

Polybutylene
Examples Of Vinyl Resins
Poly(vinyl chloride)
Rigid Grade: Pipe
Plasticized Grade: Geomembrane
Plastisol Grade: Coating

Poly(vinyl dichloride) [clear food wrap]

Poly(vinyl butyral) [Windshield Laminate]

Examples Of Polyesters

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)

Geotextiles
Geogrids
Tire Cord Tread Belting
Examples Of Engineering
Resins

Polyamide [NylonTM]

Polycarbonate [LexanTM]

Poly(methy methacrylate) [PlexiglassTM]

Examples Of Fluorocarbons

Polytetrafluroethylene [PTFE Plumbers

Tape]

Polychlorotrifluoroethylene [wire coating]

Grades Of Polyethylene
(ASTM D 1248)

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

0.910 < Density < 0.925
Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
0.926 < Density < 0.940
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
0.941 < Density < 0.965
Grades Of Polypropylene

Homopolymer

Impact Copolymer (with > 7% PE in PP)

Random Copolymer (with < 7% PE in PP)

Chemical Configurations

Polyethylene Polypropylene

H H H H
| | | |
-- -- C - C -- -- -- --- C -- C --- --
| | | |
H H H CH3
PE & PP Polymerization

Addition Polymerization

A Random Process

Broad Molecular Weight Distribution

Broad Molecular Weight
Distribution
|_____________________| |__ short__|
chain length
|_______________________long chain length___________________|

|___intermediate chain length__|

|____________| |__________________________|

|___________________________________|

|_________________|
|________________________________________|
Chemical Configuration

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)

H H
| |
-C - C -O - C - -C-O-
| | || ||
H H O O
PET Polymerization

Condensation Polymerization
Generation of water molecules

Narrow Molecular Weight

Distribution
Narrow Molecular Weight
Distribution

|____________________Longest Chain Length @ 2X

_________________|

|_Shortest Chain Length @ 1X _|

Molecular Weight Distribution Ratio 2:1

Environmental Exposure
Need To Consider
Weathering

Chemical degradation
Oxidation
Hydrolysis

Biological degradation
Weathering

Exposure to:
Ultraviolet light
Temperature
Oxygen
Humidity
Airborne Agents
Chemical
Biological
Consequences Of Weathering
Product Deterioration
Physical Properties
Density, Appearance, Integrity
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength and Creep Resistance
Polymer Degradation
Molecular Breakdown
Lower Molecular Weight
Free Radical Group Formation
Protection From Weathering
Polyolefins
Addition of Carbon Black
and/or
UV Stabilizer Package

Polyester
UV Stabilizer Package
or
Protective Coating with UV Stabilizer Package
 Effect of Carbon Black on Resistance to UV Light
for Polyethylene and Polypropylene

100

75
Percent of Protection (%)

Polyethylene

Polypropylene
50

25

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Carbon Black Content (Wt % )

Oxidative Degradation
Degradation of a polymer through its
reaction with oxygen
Dependent upon:
Product exposed surface area
Product manufacturing process
In-use environment oxygen
concentration
Susceptible geosynthetic polymers
Polyolefins: PE and PP
Consequences Of Oxidation
Product deterioration
Physical properties
Density, appearance, integrity
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength and creep resistance
Polymer degradation
Molecular breakdown
Lower molecular weight
Free radical group formation
Controlling Oxidation

Antioxidant: inhibitor of oxidation process

Polymer and product configuration dictates:

Antioxidant package
Chemical composition
Mechanism of prevention
Concentration / loading
Hydrolytic Degradation
Molecular breakdown due to reaction of a
specific monomeric chemical structure
with water or water vapor
Susceptibility is dependent upon
Molecular Weight, MW
Carboxyl End Groups, CEG
Susceptible Geosynthetic Polymers
Polyesters (PET)
Consequences Of Hydrolysis
Product deterioration
Physical properties
Density, appearance, integrity
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength and creep resistance
Polymer degradation
Molecular breakdown
Reduces molecular weight (MWn)
Increases carboxyl end groups (CEG)
Controlling Hydrolysis
Selection of molecular weight (MWn)
Coated geogrids & high strength geotextiles :
MWn > 25,000
Non Woven Geotextiles: MWn < 20,000
Selection of carboxyl end groups (CEG)
Coated geogrids & high strength geotextiles :
CEG < 30
Non Woven Geotextiles: 40 < CEG < 50
In-use environment
3 < ph < 9
Biodegradation
Micro-organisms
Bacteria, fungi, algae
Physical degradation
Molecular deterioration

Macro-organisms
Rodents, insects
Physical degradation
Controlling Biodegradation

Not a concern for the molecular weight

grades of PE, PP, PET, and PVC used in
geosynthetics.

Microorganisms are known to attack and

digest additives used to plasticize some
base polymers.
Summary

Polymers
Principal polymers in Geosynthetics
Principal polymer chemical configurations
Polymerization
Molecular weight & its importance
Elements of deterioration and degradation
Controlling impact of deteriorative elements