Polyurethane coatings provide corrosion protection for steel pipes through a unique reactive molecule that bonds to metal surfaces. They have good chemical resistance and flexibility. Both two-component 100% solids and one-component moisture-cured formulations are available. Polyurethane coatings are suitable for various industrial applications and underground pipes.

Concrete Coatings

Concrete weight coatings are often used to protect offshore and buried pipelines. The coating is a specially formulated dry-blend cement mortar that is applied as a slurry to the exterior of pipe. Once dried and cured, it forms a hard shell around the pipe to protect it from corrosion. Concrete coatings are dense and impermeable for effective barrier protection.

FBE Coatings

Fusion bonded epoxy or FBE coatings involve heating pipe surfaces and fusing powder epoxy resin to metallically bond the protective lining. Pipe Coatings produces a very robust and impermeable coating suitable for demanding buried applications like pipeline installations under roads or in chemically contaminated soil. FBE coatings are strongly adhesive with excellent resistance to moisture and acids.

3LPE and 3LPP Coatings

Three layer polyethylene (3LPE) and three layer polypropylene (3LPP) coatings consist of an adhesive layer, a polyethylene/polypropylene body, and an outer protective layer. They are often used as internal and external coatings for flexible pipes used in offshore oil and gas production. 3LPE and 3LPP provide superior corrosion resistance along with the ability to tolerate thermal expansion/contraction.

Advantages of Pipe Coatings

The key benefits of applying protective coatings to pipes include:

- Corrosion Resistance: Coatings form an effective barrier to protect base metal pipes from corrosion caused by moisture, chemicals, and other corrosive elements. This prevents premature failure.

- Longer Service Life: By preventing corrosion-induced metal loss, quality pipe coatings can significantly extend the working life of pipelines before the need for refurbishment or replacement.

- Low Maintenance: Once applied, coatings eliminate or reduce the need for remedial anticorrosion applications over time to maintain pipe integrity. Proper coatings are largely self-sustaining.

- Cost Effectiveness: Though coating application requires upfront investment, it delivers long-term savings by avoiding more frequent repair and replacement costs associated with unprotected pipe corrosion.

- Operational Reliability: Well-coated pipes are less prone to failures or interruptions from corrosion during their lifetime of operation. This ensures continuous and reliable transport of fluid commodities.

- Safety: By protecting pipe metal, coatings help prevent leaks, ruptures, explosions and environmental contamination that could endanger people, facilities or surrounding land and waterways.

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