The curing responses versus performance characteristics of four commercial 100% solids epoxy pipeline
coating products were experimentally and analytically investigated for the potential use in field pipeline
maintenance at low application and cure temperature of 0 ºC.
In this study, an advanced cure monitoring program was employed for the investigation, involving
percentage of cure and glass transition temperature (Tg) by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC),
pull-off adhesion, and Shore D hardness techniques. A better understanding of the coatings' low temperature behaviors was gained through the integration of the cure status with the evolution of mechanical and bonding strength as a function of the cure time. With an effort to identify the minimum cure duration for return to service but ensuring a satisfactory degree of curing to yield reasonable properties, additional experimental trials were also carried out to examine the change in impact resistance over cure time and the development of the blistering resistance in hot water immersion. Lastly, the suitable epoxy coatings chosen from the cure monitoring program were further examined in the qualification program, including Cathodic Disbondment and hot water soak tests, to confirm and build confidence on their reliability in the long-term performance.