Research of resistance to hydro-abrasive wear of thermoplastic polymers used to protect the inner surface of hydraulic transport systems

Abstract

The results of tests of materials for hydro-abrasive wear resistance, as well as the erosion values of studied materials, are presented. It has been found that the use of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) as a co-extruded coating of the inner surface of polymer pipe systems can significantly increase the lifetime of slurry pipelines when exposed to hydraulic mixtures, in particular iron ore tailings. In a model test simulating actual operating conditions of the pipeline, it was shown that TPV and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coatings are signifi cantly superior in wear resistance to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and steel.