On behalf of two clients I-CORP INTERNATIONAL is reactivating research into the use of infrared thermography for the nondestructive assessment of seam bond strength of 100% of geomembrane seams. Extrusion and fusion seams in 2 mm thick HDPE geomembranes made with dirt and moisture, and at high speeds and high nip roll pressure will be investigated. Dielectric seams in a reinforced terpolymer geomembrane with a similar variety of flaws will also be investigated.
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| When peel tested partial separation only occurred in the red segment to the left on the lower weld track. IRT clearly shows more information on bond efficiency than does peel testing. |
The above figure shows a thermogram of a double track seam at location where welder speed was changed. The red end of the spectrum is poorly bonded and the violet end of the spectrum is well-bonded. The change of speed location is evident in the center of the thermogram. Note the cycling effect that may relate to temperature cycling of the hot wedges.
No more cutting holes for destructive samples!
For more information on nondestructive seam testing, contact Ian Peggs at I-CORP INTERNATIONAL.
