Service life of some HDPE geomembranes

This study evaluated nine exhumed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes from different Brazilian civil construction facilities under several exposure times, from two to fifteen years in service. Physical and thermal analyses were performed to understand the behavior of the geomembranes’ samples in the final condition after the environmental exposure and, in some cases, also after contact with residues. The analyses showed the vulnerability of the geomembranes investigated and demonstrated, in general, the short-term durability of the products tested. The environmental exposure conditions were more critical than the exposure time. Finally, this research showed the need to standardize the resins and additives types of the geomembranes to guarantee their long-term durability, avoiding detrimental environmental impacts and associated financial costs.