We cannot afford to overlook the issue of geomembrane aging. Aging is an inherent characteristic of polymer materials, and while it cannot be eliminated, appropriate methods can be adopted to delay the aging process of geomembranes.
Based on our long-term practice, we have found that methods to postpone geomembrane aging can be approached from two aspects:
On the one hand, anti-aging agents can be incorporated into the raw materials. Considering the effects of external factors such as light, oxygen, and heat on the materials, an appropriate amount of antioxidants, light stabilizers, and dark carbon black can be added during the production process. Experiments have demonstrated that when anti-aging agents are added to polypropylene and exposed to direct sunlight for four years, its strength only decreases by 25%. In contrast, without anti-aging agents, its strength would be completely lost after just 2-3 months of direct sunlight exposure.
On the other hand, protective measures can be taken during engineering projects, such as minimizing exposure to sunlight during the construction process.
