Several factors affecting the adhesion of fusion bonded epoxy coatings to steel substrates have been investigated. The effect of pH, applied cathodic potentials, cyclic wetting and drying, presence of fillers in epoxy
resins, and development of interfacial stresses due to water uptake by coatings are reported. It was found that the combined effect of high pH and high cathodic potentials is more detrimental to adhesion than the individual effect of any of these factors. Cyclic wetting and drying increased the rate of disbondment while the presence of fillers in epoxy coatings decreased it. Finally, the presence of interfacial stresses due to water uptake by epoxy coatings was identified as a contributing factor to disbondment. Keywords: coatings, adhesion, pipeline, corrosion protection, fusion bonded epoxy, cathodic disbond, cathodic protection.