Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polyolefin material which can have several different polymer chain structures depending on the polymerisation conditions and addition of ethylene compolymer. These specific PP compounds have characteristics and properties that make them suitable for different types of pipe applications.
The chemical resistance and mechanical properties of PP Homopolymer (PP-H) pipes means they are predominantly used in industrial piping applications. PP Random (PP-R) copolymer pipes are used in domestic hot and cold water pressure piping systems due to their elevated temperature and internal pressure resistance. PP Block copolymer (PP-B) has high stiffness, high impact strength and excellent chemical and abrasion resistance which makes it an ideal material for sewerage and drainage applications. Vinidex StormPRO® pipes are manufactured from PP-B materials.
Typical Material Properties of StormPRO® Pipe
| Property | Value | Standard |
| Polypropylene (PP) pipe compound | block copolymer | |
| Density | 900kg/m3 | ISO 1183 |
| Flexural Modulus (2mm/min) | 1300 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Creep ratio (2 years) | 3 | ISO 9967 |
| Pipe ring bending stiffness StormPRO® | 8,000 N/m/m | AS/NZS 1462.22 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 15 x 10-5/°C | ISO 11359-2 |
| Tensile stress at yield (50mm/min) | 31 MPa | ISO 527-2 |
| Elongation at yield (50mm/min) | 0.08 | ISO 527-2 |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.45 | ISO 527-2 |
| Charpy Impact Strength- notched (+23°C) | 50kJ/m2 | ISO 179/1eA |
| Charpy Impact Strength- notched (-20°C) | 5kJ/m2 | ISO 179/1eA |
| Shore D Hardness | 60 | ISO 868 |
| Melt flow rate | 0.3g/10 min | ISO 1133 |
| Melting Point | 130-170°C |
Temperature
StormPRO® pipes have high temperature resistance. Continuous service temperatures of up to 60°C and short term applications of up to 90°C will not adversely affect the performance of StormPRO® pipes.
Weathering Resistance
StormPRO® pipes are manufactured from compounds containing additives which ensure their resistance to ultraviolet light and weathering during handling and storage.
Life Expectancy
A recent study by TEPPFA shows that designers, asset owners and operators can be confident that polypropylene sewer systems will have an in-service life of at least one hundred years when materials, products and installation practices meet the appropriate requirements.
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