External and internal coated steel pipe with 3PE, 3PP, FBE, epoxy lining and cement mortar lining for buried, subsea and corrosive service.
- Standard: API 5L, DIN 30670, ISO 21809, AWWA C210, AWWA C205
- Grades: Depends on base pipe, Grade B to X80
Specifications
| Outer diameter | 1" - 60" (25 - 1524 mm) |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | Depends on base pipe |
| Length | 6 m, 12 m, or custom |
| Ends | Beveled or plain with cutback, coated field joint |
| Surface treatment | 3PE / 3LPE, 3PP, FBE, epoxy lining, cement mortar lining, coal tar enamel |
| Manufacturing process | Applied over seamless, ERW, LSAW or SSAW base pipe |
| Pressure rating | Buried, subsea and highly corrosive service |
3PE, 3PP and FBE Compared
FBE, or fusion bonded epoxy, is a single layer of epoxy powder applied electrostatically to a heated pipe surface, where it melts and cures into a hard, tightly bonded film typically 300 to 500 microns thick. It is the most widely used external coating for buried pipelines, offers excellent adhesion and high temperature resistance, but is relatively thin and can be damaged by handling. Three layer polyethylene, 3PE, consists of an FBE primer, a copolymer adhesive layer and an outer high density polyethylene jacket, giving total thickness typically 2.0 to 3.7 mm. It combines the adhesion of FBE with mechanical toughness, and is the preferred coating for large diameter transmission lines that must survive handling, rocky backfill and construction traffic. 3PP substitutes polypropylene for the outer layer and is chosen where higher operating temperatures exceed the capability of polyethylene.
How to Specify a Coated Pipe
A coated pipe specification must define four things: the coating system and standard, the coating thickness, the cutback length at the pipe ends, and the field joint coating method. Cutback is the length of bare pipe left at each end so that the tie-in weld can be made on uncoated steel; a typical cutback is 100 to 150 mm. The field joint is then re-coated on site, and the specification should state whether this uses heat shrink sleeve, FBE, tape wrap or a moulded sleeve. For water lines the internal surface is often lined as well, either with epoxy for flow and corrosion control or with cement mortar for potable water. Coating test reports covering thickness, holiday detection, adhesion and cathodic disbondment are provided with each production run.
What is the difference between 3PE and 3LPE?
They refer to the same coating. 3LPE stands for three layer polyethylene, and 3PE is the common abbreviation. Both describe a system consisting of an FBE primer, a copolymer adhesive and a polyethylene topcoat. When you see 2LPE it means the adhesive layer has been omitted and the polyethylene is bonded directly to the FBE primer, which is a cheaper but lower performance system normally used for smaller diameter or less critical lines.
How much does 3PE coating add to the pipe cost?
As a general indication, 3PE coating typically adds 15 to 30 percent to the bare pipe price depending on diameter, coating thickness and order quantity, with smaller diameters carrying a proportionally higher increase. FBE alone is cheaper, typically adding around 8 to 15 percent. Because coating cost is quoted per square metre and varies with coating plant loading, always request a specific quotation for your diameter and quantity.
Materials
- Carbon steel with coating system
- Coating: PE, PP, FBE, epoxy, cement mortar
Typical applications
- Buried oil and gas transmission pipelines
- Subsea and offshore pipelines
- High salinity and wet H2S service
- Municipal water and wastewater lines
- Chemical plant corrosive service
Inspection & testing
- Coating thickness measurement
- Holiday (pinhole) detection
- Adhesion and peel strength test
- Cathodic disbondment test
- Impact resistance test
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV)
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