SIGMA PE-laminated GCL is a laminated geosynthetic clay liner: a layer of sodium bentonite is encapsulated between a nonwoven and a woven polypropylene geotextile, needle-punched together, and then laminated on one side to a polyethylene (PE) membrane. The needle-punched bentonite core delivers the self-sealing, low-permeability barrier of a reinforced GCL — its clay and geotextile properties follow the GRI-GCL3 standard — while the laminated PE film adds a second impermeable layer and high internal shear strength for steep-slope and aggressive containment applications. Also marketed as a geofilm GCL.
A PE-laminated GCL — sometimes called a geofilm GCL or laminated geosynthetic clay liner — is a reinforced geosynthetic clay liner with a polyethylene film bonded to one face. It starts as a layer of sodium bentonite encapsulated between a nonwoven and a woven polypropylene geotextile, needle-punched together; a PE membrane is then laminated on one side. The needle-punched bentonite gives the self-sealing, low-permeability behaviour of a standard GCL, while the laminated PE film adds an extra impermeable layer for maximum performance across a wide range of field conditions.
The integrated matrix of bentonite and needle-punched fibres provides high shear strength and lets the liner keep low permeability even under adverse installation conditions, while the laminated polyethylene face supplies a positive geomembrane-style barrier and high internal shear strength for steep-slope applications. This combination makes the PE-laminated GCL well suited to landfill caps and base seals, dams and dikes, water containment, structural waterproofing, secondary containment, mining and tunnels — anywhere a single GCL or a single film would be marginal on its own.
The geofilm GCL is a layered composite. At its core a band of sodium bentonite granules is held between a nonwoven and a woven polypropylene geotextile, and the whole sandwich is needle-punched so that fibres are pulled through the bentonite to lock the layers together — this is what gives a reinforced GCL its high internal shear strength. A polyethylene film is then laminated to one face. In service the bentonite swells on contact with water and self-seals around penetrations and overlaps, while the laminated PE film stops the bentonite from drying out or being eroded and acts as a positive geomembrane-style barrier in its own right.
Two features make the PE-laminated GCL suited to demanding containment. First, the needle-punched matrix delivers high internal shear strength, so the liner resists sliding on steep slopes such as landfill side-walls and lined embankments where an unreinforced clay liner could fail. Second, the laminated polyethylene face gives a continuous impermeable layer that resists aggressive leachates, hydrocarbons and ion exchange better than exposed bentonite alone. Together they let the geofilm GCL keep low permeability under adverse installation and field conditions where a single GCL, or a single film, would be marginal.
The bentonite and geotextile properties of this laminated GCL follow the GRI-GCL3 standard — the same reinforced sodium-bentonite basis as our standard geosynthetic clay liner — so swell index, bentonite mass and permeability are certified to recognised ASTM methods. The added PE laminate layer (thickness and film properties) is confirmed against the SIGMA data sheet, as there is no single public standard for the laminated film. For a full composite barrier the geofilm GCL is often installed beneath an HDPE geomembrane, where the self-sealing bentonite backs up any geomembrane defect; where a film is not required, the un-laminated geosynthetic clay liner is the lighter option.
Manufacturer datasheet — PE-laminated GCL specifications.
| Property | GCL-3 | GCL-4 | GCL-5 | CUSTOMIZED | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight of bentonite granular | 3000g-7000g/m2 | 3500g-7500g/m2 | 4000g-10000g/m2 | 4000g-10000g/m2 | Can be customized as required |
| Water content | 8-12% | 8-12% | 8-12% | 8-12% | |
| thickness | 5-7mm | 5-8mm | 6-10mm | 5-8mm | |
| Thickness of HDPE liner | No liner | 0.1-0.5mm | No liner | 0.1-0.5mm | |
| Swell index of bentonite granular | ≥24 | ≥24 | ≥24 | ≥24 | 24,25,26,27 |
| nonwoven geotextile — Weight | 180-300g/m2 | 180-300g/m2 | 180-300g/m2 | 180-300g/m2 | |
| nonwoven geotextile — Polypropylene or polyester | PP and PET or customized | PP and PET or customized | PP and PET or customized | PP and PET or customized | Percentage of PP can be customized |
| Woven fabric — Material | Polypropylene | Polypropylene | Polypropylene | Polypropylene | |
| Woven fabric — Weight | 110g, 130g, 150g, 200g | 110g, 130g, 150g, 200g | 110g, 130g, 150g, 200g | 110g, 130g, 150g, 200g | Usual stock is 130g/m2 and other weight needs to be customized |
| Woven fabric — Woven method | Circular or plain | Circular or plain | Circular or plain | Circular or plain | |
| Tensile strength | ≥600N/100mm | ≥800N/100mm | ≥800N/100mm | ≥600N/100mm | |
| Peel strength | ≥40N/10cm | ≥50N/10cm | ≥40N/10cm | ≥40N/10cm | |
| Permeability coefficient(cm/s) | ≤5.0×10⁻¹¹ | ≤5.0×10⁻¹¹ | ≤5.0×10⁻¹¹ | ≤5.0×10⁻¹¹ | |
| Water resistant static pressure (0.4mpa, 1h) | No leakage | No leakage | No leakage | No leakage |
A PE-laminated GCL is a needle-punched sodium bentonite geosynthetic clay liner with a polyethylene film laminated to one face. The bentonite core self-seals and gives low permeability, and the laminated PE film adds a second impermeable barrier and high internal shear strength for steep-slope and aggressive containment work. It is also called a geofilm GCL.
A standard GCL is bentonite between two geotextiles, needle-punched. The PE-laminated GCL adds a polyethylene film bonded to one side, giving an extra geomembrane-style impermeable layer and higher internal shear strength — useful on steep slopes and where a single GCL alone would be marginal.
Yes. The bentonite and geotextile properties of the PE-laminated GCL follow the GRI-GCL3 (Rev. 5) standard — swell index, bentonite mass, permeability, tensile and peel values meet the listed ASTM methods. The added PE film layer is confirmed against the SIGMA data sheet, as there is no single public standard for the laminated film.
It is used for landfill caps, closures and base seals, protection under roads, railways and airports, dams and dikes, water and pond containment, structural waterproofing, secondary containment, mining and tunnels — particularly on steep slopes where its high internal shear strength is an advantage.
The bentonite core is needle-punched: fibres are pulled through the clay to bind the woven and nonwoven geotextiles into one reinforced matrix. This needle-punched reinforcement gives the high internal shear strength that lets the liner stay in place on steep slopes such as landfill side-walls, where an unreinforced clay liner could slide.
Yes. In a composite lining system the geofilm GCL is installed beneath an HDPE geomembrane; the self-sealing bentonite seals around any defect or perforation in the geomembrane, while the laminated PE film adds a further barrier. This double-barrier arrangement is common in landfill base seals and demanding containment.
It is supplied in rolls. The bentonite and geotextile values follow GRI-GCL3, but roll width and length are manufacturer and order-specific, and the laminated PE film thickness is confirmed against the SIGMA data sheet as there is no single public standard for the film. Tell us the application and area and we will quote stock sizes, price and lead time.
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GCL Needle-punched reinforced sodium bentonite geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) to GRI-GCL3 — a self-sealing clay liner for ponds, landfills and containment.
Geomembrane Smooth HDPE geomembrane liner to GRI-GM13 — an impermeable high density polyethylene pond liner for landfill, water and containment, 0.75–3.0 mm.
Geomembrane Flexible PVC geomembrane and PVC pond liner to ASTM D7176 / PGI-1104 — a non-reinforced polyvinyl chloride liner, 10–60 mil, for ponds and containment.
