What are the materials used to make geomembranes? A comprehensive analysis of the 3 major raw materials of geomembranes

Geomembranes, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) geomembranes, HDPE (high-density polyethylene) geomembranes and LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) geomembranes are three common materials, each of which has different advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for different engineering needs. In order to help you choose the most suitable geomembrane material, this article will conduct a detailed comparative analysis of these three materials, including their performance, advantages and disadvantages, and applicable scenarios.

HDPE geomembrane (high-density polyethylene geomembrane)

• Features of HDPE geomembrane;
  Impenetration: HDPE geomembrane has extremely low permeability and can effectively prevent the penetration of water and harmful substances. It is especially suitable for places such as landfills and reservoirs that require strong anti-seepage.
  Tensile strength: HDPE has high tensile strength and excellent mechanical properties, can withstand large external pressure and tension, and is not easy to break.
  Chemical resistance: HDPE has good tolerance to most chemicals and is particularly suitable for environments containing harmful chemicals.
  UV resistance: HDPE has strong UV resistance and can resist degradation due to long-term exposure to sunlight, so it is suitable for long-term outdoor environments.
• Advantages and disadvantages of HDPE geomembranes
  Advantages:
  Excellent anti-seepage, suitable for high-demand anti-seepage projects.
  Strong tensile strength and chemical resistance, able to resist a variety of corrosive chemicals.
  UV resistance, suitable for long-term exposure to sunlight.
  Long service life and low maintenance cost.
  Disadvantages:
  Relatively hard, lack of flexibility, prone to cracks during construction.
  It is brittle and easy to break in low temperature environment.
  The welding process of the film is relatively complicated and requires high technical support.
• Application areas of HDPE geomembranes
  Landfill: prevent leachate from polluting groundwater.
  Water conservancy projects: anti-seepage projects such as reservoirs, ponds, and artificial lakes.
  Mine tailings pond: prevent mine wastewater from polluting the environment.
  Transportation infrastructure: such as waterproofing and anti-seepage of tunnels and underground facilities.

PVC geomembrane (polyvinyl chloride geomembrane)

• Features of PVC geomembrane;
  Chemical resistance: PVC geomembrane has good chemical corrosion resistance and can resist the erosion of most acids, alkalis and salts. It is suitable for chemical corrosive environments such as chemical plants and sewage pools.
  Weldability: PVC has good weldability and can be connected into a seamless membrane layer through thermal welding technology to further enhance the anti-seepage effect.
  Elasticity and flexibility: Compared with HDPE, PVC material has better flexibility and can better adapt to foundation settlement and deformation.
  Poor UV resistance: PVC material has relatively poor UV resistance. Long-term exposure to sunlight will cause material degradation, so additional protection measures are required.
• Advantages and disadvantages of PVC geomembranes
  Advantages:
  Good chemical stability and resistance to most harmful substances.
  Can be spliced ​​by thermal welding technology to ensure the sealing of the joints.
  Relatively flexible, suitable for some projects with high flexibility requirements.
  Disadvantages:
  Poor UV resistance, not suitable for long-term exposure to outdoor sunlight.
  Relatively brittle and prone to cracks in low temperature environments.
  The strength and durability are relatively low, especially in extreme environments.
• Application areas of PVC geomembranes；
  Sewage treatment plants: used for anti-seepage in sewage pools, sedimentation tanks, etc.
  Chemical plants: widely used in chemical storage, chemical wastewater pools, etc.
  Water conservancy projects: such as artificial lakes, fish ponds, etc.

LLDPE geomembrane (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Geomembrane)

• Features of LLDPE geomembrane;
  Strong flexibility: The molecular structure of LLDPE geomembrane makes it have excellent flexibility. Compared with HDPE and PVC, it is more adaptable to small deformations of soil and suitable for complex terrain.
  Impermeability: LLDPE performs well in anti-seepage performance, especially in the anti-seepage of large water bodies such as reservoirs and dams, and can provide lasting protection.
  Tensile strength: LLDPE has a high tensile strength, but slightly lower than HDPE, and is suitable for projects that do not require particularly high strength.
  Chemical resistance: LLDPE has strong chemical corrosion resistance, especially in salt water environments.
  UV resistance: Compared with PVC, LLDPE has strong UV resistance and is suitable for applications exposed to sunlight for a long time.
• Advantages and disadvantages of LLDPE geomembranes
  Advantages:
  Strong flexibility, suitable for irregular terrain, and can adapt to soil settlement.
  Good anti-seepage performance, suitable for projects such as water conservancy projects and landfills.
  Strong chemical resistance, suitable for highly corrosive environments.
  Strong UV resistance, suitable for long-term outdoor use.
  Disadvantages:
  Compared with HDPE, LLDPE has a slightly lower tensile strength and is easily affected by high pressure.
  In extremely low temperature environments, flexibility will decrease, which may cause cracks.
  A high level of technology is required during construction, especially professional support is required in welding technology.
• Application areas of LLDPE geomembranes;
  Landfill: commonly used for anti-seepage and environmental protection of landfills.
  Water conservancy projects: used for anti-seepage of reservoirs, dams, channels, etc.
  Agricultural irrigation: used for greenhouses, irrigation systems, etc.
  Mining projects: used for tailings ponds and mine water resources management.