Fatigue Precracking Methodology for HDPE Available to Purchase

With the discovery of new reservoirs of petroleum and gas in ultra deep-water, the offshore exploration conditions are becoming tougher. Structural polymers applied in these conditions may be resisted because of the high offshore/subsea exigencies. As an example, the application of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as a thermoplastic jacket in subsea umbilicals which the existence of cracks can impair its performance. The long-term behavior of this material is not well established and it is not known how the fracture behavior and fatigue crack opening and growth are. This knowledge is quite important because it enables to determine safer conditions of operation. Therefore, the crack opening and growth of HDPE will be evaluated using Tension Tests and Dynamical-Mechanical Analysis (DMA) to find relevant mechanical parameters. In addition, a crack opening and growth methodology is formulated and used to calculate K_IC value of HDPE considering the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics.