×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

(OP)
Our product is being considered in the marine industry, but they are asking if the HDPE is an environmental hazard to aquatic life?

RE: Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

HDPE is very inert (unreactive). In pipe form there should be no interaction whatever with the aquatic environment. Eventually after many, many years the PE will break down due to oxidation but even then I expect no adverse affects. That's just my best guess, you would want to check for articles on it specifically.

RE: Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

I agree with Demon3

The HDPE in itself is very inert, and if deep underwater, it will not be exposed to UV light and will last indefinitely.

Even if it eventually stress cracks, it will just be smaller parts of PE.

It might be damaged by marine life biting it or digging around it etc.

The additive packages might not be so friendly, but they are usually in low concentrations and are well contained, and only leach out very slowly. Food or medical grades will be better from this point of view.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

RE: Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

A guy called RichGeoffroy made a lot of very detailed posts re polymer theory and terminology and definitions.

A site search will uncover his work which should answer your questions.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

RE: Is HDPE an environmental hazard in salt water?

PE liners are used all the time in the aquaculture industry (fish farms, shrimp farms, etc...).  They are also often used for transportation of bulk liquids, including wine.  I wouldn't worry too much about additive packages, but you should confirm with your supplier.  

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources