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Field And Laboratory Studies On The Effect Of UV Degradation And UV Protector Paints On Stockpiles Of FBE Coated Pipeline

Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) is the primary coating used in North America for new pipeline construction and is strongly featured in the Middle East1. Pre-coated FBE pipe is routinely stockpiled and stored in large quantities at several locations close to pipeline right-of-ways. Once stockpiled, most of the pipesremain un-used until an inspection and remediation program is initiated2. Integrity projects purchase FBE coated pipe in advance and stockpile it until it is required. In addition, project delays and left-over pipe from completed projects can cause stockpiling for future use for undetermined periods of time. Under ultraviolet (UV) exposure in the presence of air, photooxidative degradation of FBE coatings occurs due to photometrical reactions arising from UV absorption.

Product Number: 51322-17853-SG
Author: Amal Al-Borno, Aissa VanDerVeen
Publication Date: 2022
$0.00
$20.00
$20.00

Field and laboratory studies were carried out to investigate the effect of UV degradation on stockpiles of FBE Coated Pipeline. In addition, three commercially available UV protector paints were examined as potential protection of the underlying FBE system 1A pipeline coating from UV degradation. This study was done under actual field exposure for two years and using laboratory tests simulating weathering conditions using a Q-SUN Xenon Arc Test Chamber to simulate the damage caused by full-spectrum sunlight and rain. Coating flexibility by laboratory testing, and Photooxidation Index (POI), Carbonyl Index (CI) and changes in the polymer chemical structure by Attenuated Total Reflection – Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) were examined at different time intervals. The results indicated that although the tested UV protector coatings were effective in preventing the underlying FBE coating from chemical/oxidative degradation and chalking, maintaining the color of FBE gloss; the underlying FBE coating exhibited a reduction in flexibility after nine months of field exposure and 250 hours of accelerated laboratory test conditions. No further decrease in the FBE coating integrity was noted with increasing exposure/testing time.

Field and laboratory studies were carried out to investigate the effect of UV degradation on stockpiles of FBE Coated Pipeline. In addition, three commercially available UV protector paints were examined as potential protection of the underlying FBE system 1A pipeline coating from UV degradation. This study was done under actual field exposure for two years and using laboratory tests simulating weathering conditions using a Q-SUN Xenon Arc Test Chamber to simulate the damage caused by full-spectrum sunlight and rain. Coating flexibility by laboratory testing, and Photooxidation Index (POI), Carbonyl Index (CI) and changes in the polymer chemical structure by Attenuated Total Reflection – Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) were examined at different time intervals. The results indicated that although the tested UV protector coatings were effective in preventing the underlying FBE coating from chemical/oxidative degradation and chalking, maintaining the color of FBE gloss; the underlying FBE coating exhibited a reduction in flexibility after nine months of field exposure and 250 hours of accelerated laboratory test conditions. No further decrease in the FBE coating integrity was noted with increasing exposure/testing time.

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Picture for Pipeline Coating Corrosion, Understanding Testing and UV Degradation of Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coatings
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Pipeline Coating Corrosion, Understanding Testing and UV Degradation of Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coatings

Product Number: 51321-16325-SG
Author: Lake H. Barrett/Robert Leggat
Publication Date: 2021
$20.00