Application of UV-Curing Resins for In-Place Pipe Repair

• Gerard Skourlis, Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware

• Jack Gillespie, Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware
• Lukas Fuessel, Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware

The use of UV-Curing resins for in-place pipe repair has emerged as an effective solution to address the growing challenge posed by aged and damaged pipelines. Traditional methods of pipe repair include excavation, causing increased down time and costs. UV-curing resins offer a viable, fast, and non intrusive alternative. These resins utilize the process of photopolymerization in which photoinitiators, when exposed to UV light, produce free radicals. Free radicals react with monomers to create long polymer chains that cause the resin to harden.  The process of in place pipe repair involves inserting a prepregnated liner into a pipe then curing with a light source. The purpose of this research is to investigate the properties of the UV-Curing resins and the process of in place pipe repair. The kinetics and heat of reaction were acquired using the UV-DSC. With these parameters and an existing model, a few physical properties and limitations with these resins were highlighted. The depth of cure is one such limitation, as the depth of the resin increases, more light is absorbed, and less is able to penetrate and cure fully through. To accurately examine this trend, we tested the Shore-D hardness of samples with various depths and exposure times. The flexural properties of 7781 E-glass with Vortex were determined by using a 3 point bend test and showed properties significantly above the ASTM standard. In conclusion UV-curing resins show promising results for their use with in place pipe repair because of their fast cure time and simple application.