Product Overview

The Composite Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) is a high-performance, geosynthetic material that combines the natural impermeability of bentonite clay with a durable synthetic geomembrane. The GCL consists of a layer of bentonite clay encapsulated between two geotextiles, often with a geomembrane (such as HDPE or LLDPE) on top for added protection. This composite liner provides superior leak protection, excellent durability, and enhanced resistance to mechanical and environmental stresses, making it a reliable solution for a variety of civil engineering and environmental applications.

Product Features

• Superior Waterproofing: The bentonite clay layer swells upon contact with water, forming a self-healing barrier that ensures exceptional impermeability.
• High Strength and Durability: The composite design with geomembrane and geotextiles provides enhanced tensile strength, tear resistance, and longevity under harsh conditions.
• Chemical and UV Resistance: The geomembrane layer is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and UV exposure, ensuring long-term performance even in challenging environments.
• Self-Healing: The bentonite clay’s ability to self-seal minor punctures and tears contributes to the liner’s long-term reliability.
• Environmental Sustainability: Made from eco-friendly materials, the Composite GCL helps prevent pollution and reduces the risk of environmental damage.

Product Specifications

• Material Composition: Composed of a bentonite clay layer, two nonwoven geotextiles, and an optional geomembrane layer (typically HDPE or LLDPE).
• Thickness: Typically, the GCL’s bentonite layer is 5mm to 10mm thick, while the geomembrane thickness ranges from 0.5mm to 2mm (customizable based on project requirements).
• Width: Available in widths up to 8 meters to accommodate large-scale projects.
• Tensile Strength: The composite material has a tensile strength of 20-30 MPa, depending on the geomembrane used.
• Permeability: The GCL has an extremely low permeability coefficient of typically 10^-9 cm/s, offering superior leak prevention.
• Weight: Composite GCL typically weighs between 4 to 6 kg/m² (depending on the thickness and composition).

Applications

• Landfills: Used as a primary liner material to prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater in municipal and industrial landfills.
• Water Containment: Ideal for water reservoirs, ponds, and artificial lakes, providing a reliable barrier against leakage.
• Mining Projects: Used for tailings dams, heap leach pads, and mining waste containment to protect the environment from hazardous runoff.
• Environmental Protection: Employed in soil and groundwater protection, preventing the spread of contaminants and ensuring the safe containment of hazardous materials.
• Wastewater Treatment Plants: Suitable for lining ponds, lagoons, and treatment basins, ensuring effective containment of wastewater and sludge.
• Civil Engineering: Used in foundation waterproofing, canal linings, and other infrastructure projects where water containment is required.

Construction Recommendations

1. Site Preparation: Ensure that the foundation is smooth, free of sharp objects or debris, and properly compacted. The surface must be clean and level to prevent damage to the liner during installation.

2. Installation Method: Roll out the Composite GCL carefully, ensuring that it is laid flat with minimal wrinkles. Overlap seams by at least 15-30 cm and secure them as per manufacturer guidelines. For enhanced protection, a geomembrane may be welded or sealed at the seams.

3. Seam Welding and Sealing: In applications where an additional geomembrane is used, seams should be welded using hot-wedge or extrusion welding techniques. For the GCL, ensure the overlaps are securely fixed to avoid leakage points.

4. Protection During Installation: To prevent damage, avoid walking directly on the liner material or dragging heavy equipment across it. Place a protective cover or padding where necessary to reduce risks from mechanical damage.

5. Backfilling: Once the composite GCL is in place, it is essential to backfill the liner with soil or cover material as soon as possible to prevent exposure to UV rays, extreme temperatures, or wind.

6. Quality Control: After installation, conduct thorough inspection and testing to verify the integrity of seams and the overall waterproofing performance. Perform geotechnical tests, such as permeability tests, to ensure the liner’s quality.