Compression Test on Epoxy-Polyurethane Blended Resin, with Nanoclay Reinforced Composite Pipeline and Finite Element Analysis

Objectives: The present paper demonstrates a study on properties of epoxy-polyurethane composite pipe reinforced with specially treated Nanoclay as reinforcement using finite element modeling under static conditions. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The analysis of composite pipe and the resulting properties of pipeline with uniform distribution of particles have been studied by the systematic procedure using the finite element model. The modeling is performed as per the pipeline construction standards and the properties were compared with test values as per ASTM standards. The pipeline for various particle orientations is studied using improved mechanical property criteria. Findings: Epoxy being good in mechanical properties, blended in the ratio of 60:40 percent with polyurethane for better compatibility and hence improved mechanical properties by providing with interpenetrating resin matrix. The amine treated Nanoclay increases the compression strength of the existing polyurethane pipelineby about 38% for the 3% reinforcement and shear strength for 1% Nanoclay. This also supported by Finite element analysis and also it has been shown that for 0 0 orientation of Nanoclay the composites exhibit better properties. Application/Improvements: The polymer composite pipes are used in varieties of applications and they have been widely used in industries such as oil,gas,transport and offshore applications. Polyurethane coated pipelines are most popular for industrial applications.