| Material Type | High-density polyethylene for demanding containment applications | HDPE resin with ultraviolet stabilizers, carbon black, and antioxidant protection | GRI-GM13; ASTM D1505; ASTM D7466 where applicable | Confirm resin grade, recycled-content policy, additive package, and suitability for the intended chemical and temperature environment. |
| Nominal Thickness | 1.0–3.0 mm | Common project selections: 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 2.5 mm | ASTM D5199 for smooth sheet; ASTM D5994 for textured sheet | Check average thickness, minimum measured thickness, thickness tolerance, and whether the specification applies to smooth or textured geomembrane. |
| Textured Surface | Specified when higher interface friction or slope stability is required | Single-sided or double-sided textured surfaces produced by co-extrusion or extrusion texturing | ASTM D7466; project-specific interface shear testing | Request texture height, texture uniformity, coefficient of friction, and direct-shear results using the actual adjacent soils or geosynthetics. |
| Tensile Yield Strength | Typically about 16–22 kN/m for 1.5–2.0 mm HDPE sheet | GRI-GM13 commonly specifies a minimum value near 16 kN/m for many standard thickness categories | ASTM D6693, Type IV specimen | Compare machine-direction and cross-machine-direction results, yield strength, break strength, and the applicable thickness-specific requirement. |
| Tensile Break Strength | Typically about 27–40 kN/m for 1.5–2.0 mm HDPE sheet | Higher thickness generally provides greater tensile capacity, but formulation and manufacturing quality also affect performance | ASTM D6693, Type IV specimen | Require certified test results from the production lot rather than relying only on marketing values or nominal thickness. |
| Elongation at Break | At least approximately 700% for many GRI-GM13 HDPE grades | High elongation helps the liner accommodate localized settlement and installation stresses | ASTM D6693 | Review both yield elongation and break elongation, and ensure the reported values are generated using the correct specimen type and test speed. |
| Tear Resistance | Approximately 187 N minimum is a common GRI-GM13 reference value for standard HDPE categories | Actual requirements depend on nominal thickness and the applicable edition of the specification | ASTM D1004 | Verify minimum tear resistance in both principal directions and assess whether site handling, aggregate, or wind uplift requires a higher value. |
| Puncture Resistance | Approximately 480 N minimum is a common GRI-GM13 reference value for standard HDPE categories | Thicker liners and properly selected protective geotextiles generally improve puncture performance | ASTM D4833 | Check puncture results together with subgrade preparation, protective cushion design, and the expected construction traffic. |
| Carbon Black Content | Approximately 2.0–3.0% by mass | Carbon black supports ultraviolet and weathering resistance when properly dispersed | ASTM D1603 or ASTM D4218 | Confirm carbon black content, dispersion rating, and consistency across production lots; excessive or poorly dispersed carbon black can reduce performance. |
| Carbon Black Dispersion | Uniform dispersion, commonly meeting GRI-GM13 category 1 or category 2 limits | Well-dispersed particles reduce weak points and improve long-term weathering behavior | ASTM D5596 | Request microscopic dispersion records and verify that the reported rating meets the contract specification. |
| Oxidative Induction Time | Standard OIT: commonly at least 100 minutes; high-pressure OIT: commonly at least 400 minutes where specified | OIT evaluates antioxidant protection and is not, by itself, a complete prediction of service life | ASTM D3895; ASTM D5885 | Identify whether standard OIT or high-pressure OIT is required, and review results before and after oven aging when long service life is critical. |
| Dimensional Stability | Typically controlled to approximately ±2% in each principal direction | Controlled shrinkage reduces wrinkles, stress concentration, and installation problems | ASTM D1204, elevated-temperature exposure | Confirm testing temperature, exposure time, direction of measurement, and the maximum permitted dimensional change. |
| Seam Strength | Welds should meet or exceed the project-specified percentage of parent-sheet strength | Double-track fusion welding is widely used for field joining of HDPE geomembranes | ASTM D6392; ASTM D5820; ASTM D6214 | Review destructive seam-test results, peel and shear performance, trial-weld procedures, and installer qualification records. |
| Leak Detection Compatibility | Compatible with electrical leak-location surveys when the system design requires them | Conductive or semi-conductive layers may be used in specially designed systems; standard liners require suitable test conditions | ASTM D7002; ASTM D7007; project-specific electrical leak-location procedure | Confirm liner conductivity, subgrade and cover requirements, testing method, and acceptance criteria before installation. |
| GRI-GM13 Compliance | Required where specified | Compliance should cover the applicable thickness, physical properties, durability tests, and quality-control requirements | Current GRI-GM13 specification and referenced ASTM methods | Request a signed compliance statement, current technical data sheet, independent laboratory reports, and lot-specific certificates of analysis. |
| Quality Documentation | Full traceability from raw material to finished roll | Roll number, production date, resin batch, test results, dimensions, and inspection status | Project quality plan; ISO 9001-based document control where applicable | Confirm certificate format, retention period, nonconformance procedure, calibration records, and availability of third-party inspection. |
| Global Delivery Readiness | Export packaging and documentation suited to the destination country | Rolls commonly supplied with protective wrapping, identification labels, packing lists, and shipping marks | Contract requirements; Incoterms; destination import regulations | Verify roll dimensions, container loading plan, moisture protection, customs documentation, lead time, and replacement policy for transit damage. |