Polymers underground applications

The long lifetimes of geotextiles are shared with a parallel application of plastics underground as impermeable linings to seal canals, reservoirs, tunnels, and, most critical of all, the storage of liquid waste. Generally made from HDPE or PVC, these polymer... 

Plastics are also now used as a replacement for concrete in underground chambers. The performance of chambers is much less critical than that of pipes since they are not under pressure and can be readily replaced when necessary. Increasingly, recycled polyolefins are being used in this kind of application, which is a particularly appropriate second use for mixed thermoplastic polymers that are not exposed to UV light (Chapter 4, page 86). 

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