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UV-resistance of Geotextiles

In general, geosynthetics are covered with soil material

coloured needlepunched HDPE nonwovens like Depotex

immediately upon installation. Due to construction or

should be used to ensure adequate long-term perfor-

operational constrains, geosynthetics could be exposed to

mance. Depotex with HDPE raw material offers the best

sunlight (UV-radiation) for several weeks, maybe even

currently available chemical resistance and fits well with

years. Therefore these must be very resistant to UV-radia-

the HDPE family of products for landfills. Depotex was

tion (e.g. a geomembrane protection layer in a landfill,

specifically developed for landfill applications to fulfil the

when the waste filling process is slower than anticipa-

highest demands for chemical and UV-resistance.

Fig. 1:
UV-restistance
of geotextiles

ted).
The German FGSV guidelines [1] classify the UV-resistance, tested in the Global UV apparatus [2], and
define a maximum permissible exposure period (Tab. 1).
To compare laboratory and field data Trubiroha et al.
[3] carried out Global UV lab-tests and natural weathering
tests. Some results, together with data from von
Maubeuge [4], are shown in figure 1.

A - needlepunched nonwoven, grey, PP, no stabiliser

B - needlepunched nonwoven, grey, PET, no stabiliser
C - woven, PET, white
D - needlepunched nonwoven, black HDPE, (Depotex)
E - woven, black, PP, with stabiliser
F - thermally bonded nonwoven, white PE/PP, stabilised
G - needlepunched nonwoven,white PP, stabilised
Conclusions from results in Fig. 1:

H - needlepunched nonwoven, grey PET, no stabiliser

Depotex, a needlepunched black high density

I - thermally bonded nonwoven, white PP, stabilised

polyethylene (HDPE) staple fibre nonwoven showed

the highest UV-resistance (> 95 %).
All other geotextiles tested, even those UV-stabilised,
had significantly lower UV-resistance (2-80 %).
Natural weathering on slopes decreases the UVresistance.

Literature
[1] FGSV; Merkblatt fr die Anwendung von Geotextilien und
Geogittern im Erdbau des Straenbaus, Kln 1994
[2] prENV 12224; Determination of the resistance to weathering, CEN 1996
[3] Trubiroha, P.; Schrder, H.; Klassifizierung von Geotextilien

Even black and stabilised polypropylene (PP) wovens

hinsichtlich der Wetterbestndigkeit, K-Geo, Mnchen, March 1997

(published also in Durability standards for geosynthetics: The tests

had some degradation (UV-resistance 56-60 %).

for weathering, EuroGeo 1, Maastricht, 1996)

[4] von Maubeuge, K.P.;Wetterbestndigkeit von Geotextilien, s+t,

Summary

Juni, 1991.

The artificial and natural weathering tests clearly show

that needlepunched black HDPE staple fibre nonwoven
(Depotex) achieves the best UV-resistance. Polyester
(PET) geotextiles, as well as stabilised black PP geotextiles, do not effectively resist UV-degradation for the long
term. If UV-resistance is an important issue (e.g. as a
protection layer on top of a geomembrane), carbon black

2002 by Naue Fasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Lbbecke, Germany All Rights reserved. No. 13 Status 09/2002.

Naue Fasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Wartturmstrae 1
D-32312 Lbbecke Germany
Phone: +49 / 57 41 / 40 08 - 0
Fax: +49 / 57 41 / 40 08 - 40
e-mail: info@naue.com
Internet: www.naue.com

The information contained herein is the best to our knowledge, true and accurate. There is no implied or expressed warranty.

Tab. 1:
UV-resistance
classification
(FGSV guidelines)