FBE Coating

Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coated pipes are used for prevent steel pipes from corrosion and harmful chemicals. These are thin coatings of epoxy-resin powder materials formed in a film and applied on pipes by specialised coating facilities by electrostatic spraying. These FBE coated pipes can be used in temperatures up to 85oC in dry conditions.

FBE Coating has been used as a standard in industries for protection against corrosion. FBE coatings have good handling characteristics; they are flexible and resistant to soil pressure. These are used in pipeline projects that have normal requirements and do not have harsh conditions.

A dual-layer of fusion bonded epoxy can also be used for coating of pipelines for use in harsher conditions to make it more abrasion resistant. The second layer is also made of the similar fusion bonded epoxy with both the layers being sprayed successively. Depending on the application, the dual-layer FBE can also come with an Abrasion-Resistant Overcoat (ARO), to reduce damage to pipes.

Standards

Fusion bonded epoxy coated pipes are manufactured according the following standards:

• CSA Z245.20
• AWWA C 213
• IS 3581

Features of FBE coated pipes 

Corrosion Resistance :
• FBE Coating prevents steel pipe from corrosion.
• Excellent chemical resistance properties and resistance to cathodic disbondment.

High Bond Strength :
• The FBE coating is bonded firmly to the mild steel pipe surface and the mean adhesion strength is 125 kg/cm² (ASTM D 4541).

Long Working Life :
• Pipe has constant performance characteristics through out the life span. Service life of more than 75 years.

Customized Solutions :
• FBE coating can be applied from diameters 25 mm to 2000 mm with lengths of up to 12m.

Environment Friendly :
• FBE coating are applied in powder form. There is no need for resin hardener.

Applications:
FBE coating is an industry standard in corrosion protective coatings. It is environmentally-safe thermosetting polymer coating which is used as corrosion protection for pipe valves and fittings. Typical coating application temperatures are usually in the range of 180° C to 250° C (360° F to 480° F). When the FBE is applied to the pre-heated pipe with the help of electrostatic spraying machine, the FBE film wets and flows onto the steel surface and soon becomes a solid coating by chemical cross-linking.

FBE coated steel pipes are used in the following applications where the pipes are either buried or submerged:
• Drinking water pipelines.
• Oil and gas pipelines
• In plant process water applications