The choice of an effective protective coating is a key factor that guarantees the long-term operation of main pipelines and offsets the effects of aggressive environments and mechanical stress.
Growing consumer demands for coating performance have led to the development and implementation of technologies for applying three-layer external polymer pipe coatings, in which individual layers provide different levels of protection.
The main characteristics of the protective effect of a three-layer polyethylene coating include hydrophobicity and water resistance, which help inhibit the penetration of corrosive media into the metal. When designing three-layer insulation systems, the properties of polymeric materials are crucial. The level of anticorrosive properties of the coating is determined by the quality of pipe surface preparation and the materials of the primer layer.
UKRTRUBOIZOL has introduced the technology of applying powder primer in an electrostatic field using equipment from the Swiss company GEMA.
The epoxy powder composition Jotapipe AC 1003, which is successfully used as a primer material for a three-layer coating, provides adhesive and anti-corrosion properties that meet the strict requirements of regulatory documents while optimizing its chemical properties during processing.
Since the main technological parameters of the processing mode of epoxy powder materials are the pipe surface temperature and the gel formation time (“window”), the optimization of Jotapipe AC 1003 processing modes was carried out according to the degree of curing of the primer layer of the three-layer coating applied in different modes.
In the laboratory, a number of experiments were conducted on metal samples to simulate the technological process of epoxy coating at different temperatures. Based on the test results, the optimal processing mode of Jotapipe AC 1003 was selected according to the “Degree of curing” indicator. The modes tested in the laboratory were adapted to the specifics of the technological process.
According to these modes, pilot batches of three-layer coated pipes were manufactured, samples were taken and a set of tests was carried out. The test results show that UKRTRUBOIZOL pipes with a three-layer coating of polymeric material systems using Jotapipe AC 1003 epoxy powder composition for the primer layer applied according to the modes adapted to the technological features of the coating lines meet the highest requirements.
Focusing on the needs and desires of its customers, UKRTRUBOIZOL expands its product range, introduces new promising polymeric materials into production, and guarantees that its customers receive only products of excellent quality.
