What is the expected shelf life?
HDPE meeting AASHTO M-252 or M-294 is manufactured with a carbon black coloration that protects the material from UV degradation. Carbon black has been proven to protect exposed HDPE pipe for over three years with no change in tensile properties from UV effects. Once installed, the earth cover protects the pipe from UV effects. Exposed ends of pipes are located in areas of little or no tensile stress (due to no overburden), and therefore not a consideration for UV effects.
