Performance of Insulated Pipelines in Sub-Arctic Conditions

In the conditions of sub-Arctic winter it is not unusual for the ambient temperatures to drop as low as −40°C. Insulated pipes overcoated with extruded polyethylene may fail, sometimes drastically due to mechanical impact which can rupture the outer polyethylene layer and damage the polyurethane foam.

A systematic investigation into the main reasons for this failure mode was conducted, resulting in specific recommendations to permanently solve this problem.