HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (HDPE)

HDPE is the most widely used geomembrane in the world and is used more commonly internationally due to its availability and relatively inexpensive material cost. HDPE is an excellent product for large applications that require UV and Ozone resistance, chemical resistance or high-quality installations. Typically used in landfill and mining applications, this product is delivered in large rolls with a width of 22.5' and is heat welded in the field by trained technicians providing a high quality, test certified installation. HDPE offers the most cost effective liner for large projects. HDPE is available in thicknesses ranging from 40 to 120 mil. HDPE Lining materials are a cost effective choice for exposed lining projects. This product is successfully used in landfills, waste water treatment lagoons, animal waste lagoons and mining applications.

HDPE geomembrane is a very technical product to install properly. HDPE requires specialized welding equipment and certified welding technicians to be installed properly.  The most common method of securing the liners on side slopes is by means of an anchor trench around the perimeter.  A batten strip or an embed channel system is used to attach the liner to structures.

Field Seaming
There is a great deal more field welding due to the lack of factory fabrication. Welding is done with hot wedge welders on long field seams, and extrusion welders are used on detail work and pipe boots.  HDPE is delivered to the project directly from the factory in 22.5'-wide rolls and is custom-fitted in the field to the designed configuration.  Seamed by fusion welding, heat is applied directly to the geomembrane panels by a motorized hot wedge welder.  The panels are then routed through a series of rollers that fuse the material together.  Extrusion welding is generally confined to repairs on the liner material.

Design Notes
Due to the cost of the installation equipment and personnel, the size of the project often determines the cost effectiveness of HDPE.  HDPE is a good lining product, but it can be difficult to install due to its lack of flexibility and the technical nature of field work.  If the project is specified around HDPE, extra care should be taken in selecting your installation contractor.  Experience requirements should be a minimum of 5 million sq. ft.