Degradation of Polymer & Elastomer Exposed to Chlorinated Water—A Review

Abstract

In water industry, the chlorine is mostly used as a disinfectant agent. The chlorine present in potable water as a disinfectant has been reported to reduce the lifetime of contact polymeric material. This occurs in polymer pipes and it is now very common in plumbing and other parts of the drinking water distribution system. For more than 50 years, Polymer & Elastomeric materials have been used ubiquitously in drinking water distribution systems. Polymer & Elastomeric materials have successfully been used in a variety of applications ranging from rubber gaskets, to valves, to hydrants, to fittings. Polymer & Elastomers that degrade more quickly than expected create service problems, make it difficult for utilities to cost efficient plan preventive maintenance programs, and negatively affect customer relations. This review paper gives an insight idea to a reader about the selection of proper polymer & elastomer and predicting its performance in chlorinated water. Also the mechanism of degradation of Polymer & elastomer in chlorine environment and some model of life expectancy of in-service of Polymer & elastomer in various conditions and parameter in chlorinated water were discussed. and 408C for durations up to 1200 h has been studied by IR spectrophotometry, tensile testing, melt rheometry, and grafted chlorine titration. IR revealed a carbonyl growth indicating that DOC induces PE oxidation. Rheometry revealed the predominance of chain scissions, presumably linked to hydroperoxide decomposition. Tensile testing revealed an embrittlement process when the weight average molar mass MW approaches a critical value of 70 kg mol21, which agrees with a previous study of PE thermooxidation.