Story
Dureflex® and Platilon® TPU films: ideal solution for CIPP lining materials
Cured in place pipe (CIPP) technology enables damaged sewers to be relined using water or air pressure without digging a trench. Our Dureflex® and Platilon® TPU films are tough, flexible low-friction CIPP lining materials with high resistance to heat, cold, and the oils and chemicals in waste water.
Maintaining and repairing underground water and sewer pipes is a challenge worldwide. The aging of wastewater systems, in the U.S. and Europe, and increasing wastewater volumes in all regions are leading to more and more frequent pipe bursts and overflows. Pipe repair is then, not only expensive, but also often causing traffic delay for days due to the necessary construction work.
Pipe relining: CIPP offers cost-effective repair with minimal surface disruption
Pipe relining is a popular method for fixing broken or blocked sewer pipes because it prevents having to dig a trench to replace them, making it inherently more cost-effective and efficient. One of the most common trenchless approaches is cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology, which inserts a new lining based on a core of felt or fiber surfaced with films or coatings, and then hardens it on location, all without unearthing the host pipe or water main.
CIPP technology has a range of advantages, many derived from the fact it is trenchless. Eliminating the need for excavators, backhoes and trucks means that roads don’t need to be blocked, which in turn reduces environmental noise, traffic disruption and emissions. The reline process itself makes construction more like minimal-invasive surgery. Quick installation and curing means pipes get a strong, durable relining with a short turnaround time.
Dureflex® and Platilon® TPU films in CIPP lining: tough, flexible, and easy to install
Our Dureflex® and Platilon® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films are noted for being highly extendable and flexible in cold conditions. These tough materials also resist tearing, punctures and chemicals. With their exceptional mechanical performance, good adhesion to the core material and the very good laminability TPU films are excellent solutions for CIPP materials. They can be used either as a security layer covering the entire liner, or as reinforcement at the seams of the core felt, foam or fiber resin layer.
Installation is easy. A CIPP pipe liner is essentially a long balloon. Liners with low-friction Dureflex® and Platilon® can be ‘blown’ into a broken sewer from an upstream access point using air or water pressure, and then heated up using steam or UV light to harden the materials in place. CIPP liners using TPU films can easily stretch to accommodate variations in diameter and bends in sewer line tubes.
The Dureflex® and Platilon® TPU range can also be customized for other applications such as pipe collars, roof underlining, and security glazing. If you would like samples, or need to create test material that’s tailored to your specific purpose, please get in touch with our Sales & Business Development team at Covestro Specialty Films. Our goal is to become your trusted source for flexible and durable CIPP liner materials.
Dureflex® and Platilon® thermoplastic polyurethane films offer ideal solutions for CIPP technology, ensuring comfortable processing and durable linings for sewer line pipes and similar applications. The team at Covestro Specialty Films can provide samples and help you tune your application.
Key Benefits
- Tough: Dureflex® and Platilon® resist tears, punctures, abrasions and chemicals.
- Flexible: Film liner materials show excellent flexibility over a wide temperature range.
- Adhesive: TPU films adhere well to felt, foams and are also well-suited to lamination.
- Stretchable: CIPP relinings using TPU can adapt to variations in diameter and bends in tubes.
- Processable: Low friction films make installation easier; processable with hot steam and UV.
