The operation of pipelines at ever higher temperatures has led to the development and sale of polyolefimc coatings for high temperature. use. The use of accelerated tests in to qualify coatings for use in existing specifications is reviewed. New methods for testing of coatings for use at temperatures not yet addressed by specifications are explained and
demonstrated using commercially available polyolefinic coatings. Significant differences are found in resistance to accelerated thermal aging among a number of polyolefinic coatings intended to be- used at 250 °F. The methods of UL 746B are found to be most applicable at present for predicting safe use temperatures. The possible use of a little-used method, dynamic oxidation induction temperature is explored with a mathematical connection established to more familiar methods.
Directions for further investigation in this area am outlined. Keywords: pipeline coatings, polyoletin, polyethylene, polypropylene, coating standards, accelerated thermal aging, oxidation induction time, dynamic oxidation induction temperature, oxidation onset temperature, krhenius extrapolation, use temperature, UL 746B