When people purchase steel pipe for pipeline systems, always we see the pipe has been asked for a epoxy coating like 3PE (3LPE) or FBE.
So how much do you know about epoxy coated (3LPE/3PE or FBE) pipe? And in which cases it shall be used? How much of the cost the the 3PE, FBE coating layers?
Here is the answers to be briefly:
FBE pipe is coated with Epoxy Coatings, it could be used for internal and exernal coating, and mostly used pipe internal coating. Specified as Fusion Bonded Epoxy pipe.
3LPE pipe coated with Epoxy inside, adhesive layer middle, and outside with polyethylene layer. 3LPE will be only used for pipe external coating 3LPE.
3PE/3LPE coated pipe and FBE Epoxy coating/coated steel pipe are widely used in pipeline systems for the transmission of oil, gas, water and other fluids. They have highly resistance to corrosive from chemicals, moisture, harmful environment etc.
Almost all kind of steel pipes could be coated with FBE or 3LPE. such as
Stainless steel pipe
ASTM A312, ASTM A269 stainless pipe
Carbon steel pipe
API 5L line pipe from Grade B to Grade 80
ASTM A53 pipe (Hot dipped galvanized steel pipe)
ASTM A106 pipe
ASTM A252 pipe
ASTM A134 and A135
ASTM A333
Alloy steel pipe
ASTM A335
Nickel Alloy pipes
CRA clad or lined pipe
FBE coating pipe is Fusion Bonded Epoxy coating steel pipe. It could be applied for external or internal coating, with heat resin for pipe. With coated a form of dry powder at thickness 400-600 microns on to the heated surface of pipe. Once the FBE coated on the pipe surface, the FBE film provides an extremely hard surface with great adhesion to the pipe surface. The FBE layer in a even form and have good resistance to the chemical reaction.
The advantage of the FBE coating pipe is convenient to spraying, no pollution, excellent resistance for high-temperature (-40°C to 85°C);
High strength and anti-bending performances;
Strong adhesion, good integrity, anti soil stress and wear.
FBE coated steel pipe usually buried in soil and under water between -40~85°C temperature.
On the other hand, the defect of the FBE pipe is it doesn’t have good resistance to mechanical performances and humid conditions.
It developed from s, and industrialization in s. FBE pipe have two kinds: One layer and two layers pipe. FBE Dual layers coated pipe is recommended to applied for the offshore pipelines and the pipelines systems that operated in the tough environments, it provides high performances on the impact resistance and flexibility. Offers suitable protection for the coating from the damage during transportation and construction.
While FBE single layer coated pipe is the generally type for the FBE coated pipe. It offers a rough, non-slip surface for a pipeline that need concrete coating. A special fusion bonded epoxy powder mixed with solid epoxy resin and other adhesive material that helped to adhere to pipe surface.
The 3LPE coated pipe inlcudes 3 layer coatings, first FBE coating, middle is adhesive layer, outside polyethylene layer. 3PE coating pipe is another new product developed on the FBE coating basis since s, which contains adhesives and PE(polyethylene) layers. 3PE can strengthen the pipeline’s mechanical properties, high electrical resistance, waterproof, wearable, anti-aging.
It could protect pipe from the heat loss which only account for 1/4 of pipe.
For The first layers is fusion bonded epoxy, which thickness is larger than 100μm. (FBE＞100μm）
The second layer is adhesive, which effect is binding epoxy and PE layers. (AD: 170~250μm)
The third layers is PE layers which is polyethylene have advantages to anti-water, electrical resistance and anti mechanical damage. (φ300-φmm)
Therefore, 3PE coating pipe integrated with the advantages of FBE and the PE. Whichg more and more widely used in buried pipeline’s transporting of water, gas and oil.
In case manufacturing equipment, 3PE coating steel pipe manufacturers they can also do FBE coating pipe.
3LPE coated pipe mostly used for external coating for corrosion resistance against outside environment, FBE is for pipe internal coating to against fluid corrosion, used for chemical industry or for transimission of the drinkable water.
3LPE coated steel pipe have good stability and anti-aging performances under the normal work temperature and pressure conditions, consequently its lifetime can prolong above 50 years.
Due to PE elements structure stability is very high, it is resistant to corrosion of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, artificial gas and other chemical subjects, no need secondary anti-corrosion equipment. The chemical of soil does not produce any effects to the pipe.
3PE/3LPE is a kind of soft and flexible material, it can prolong 5 times length then break. While it is easily to bend and no damage. 3LPE/3PE coating steel pipe can bypass objects and cut the fees of installation.
Polyethylene is not fragile under low temperature, there for, it is safe used in the temperature at the range of -60℃~60℃. So it can adapt to going down of pipeline, Work in winter. Due to good impact performances, PE pipeline won’t easily to break.
Experiments shows that PE pipe wear resistance is 4 times of pipe. especially in area of transporting mud. Compared to varnished pipe, PE coated pipe have better wear resistance.
3PE/3LPE have smooth surface, its manning coefficient is 0.009. Because of smooth internal surface and non-sticking performance, 3PE/3LPE coated steel pipe shows higher ability for transporting, and reduce the loss of pressure and water transporting. Low water permeation characteristic provides improved isolation from sea water compared to the other coating systems and FBE pipe.
3LPE coated steel pipelines in manufacturing process won’t add heavy metal stabilizer, the PE material have no poison and harm, is a kind of green material, and itself can recycled will not cause pollution to the environment.
These properties make PE pipeline suitable for flammable and explosive conditions.
3LPE/3PE coating steel pipe mainly use hot melt and fused connection, keep the interface and pipeline connect as a whole. There is no water and gas leakage.
3LPE layers weight only account 1/8 for steel pipe, easily to move, bend, welding process is convenient and fast, lower fees for whole project, obvious economic benefits.
Since 3LPE and FBE coating can prolong the lifetime of same steel pipe from several years to decades years, it’s required more than more in recent year pipeline projects.As a result of steel pipe corrosion, the whole world suffers average loss about 3% of global GDP per year, about 2.2 trillion dollars in according newest data. In which, oil, gas and petroleum industry loss account for 45% about 1 trillion dollars in . According by data, more than 70% oilfield has explored easily to corrupt. For example, The US loss has rise up to 26% of direct economic loss , and China account for 10%.
Octal can provie 3LPE coated pipe or FBE coated pipe with different standard and types, please do not hesitate to contact us for an offer if you have such requirement.
3PE (Three-Layer Polyethylene) and FBE (Fusion-Bonded Epoxy) are two different types of coatings used to protect steel pipes from corrosion. Each coating has its unique characteristics and advantages. Here's a comparison of 3PE and FBE epoxy coated pipes:
- Composition:
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3PE Coating:
Three-layer polyethylene consists of three layers: an inner layer of fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE), an adhesive layer, and an outer layer of polyethylene.
FBE Coating:
Fusion-bonded epoxy is a single-layer coating applied directly to the steel pipe's surface.
- Corrosion Protection:
3PE Coating:
Offers superior corrosion protection due to the combination of FBE's excellent adhesion to steel and the outer polyethylene layer's resistance to moisture and chemicals.
FBE Coating:
Provides good corrosion protection but may not be as effective as 3PE in highly corrosive environments.
- Adhesion:
3PE Coating:
Features a strong bond between the FBE layer and the steel pipe, enhancing the coating's overall durability.
FBE Coating:
Also exhibits good adhesion to steel, but it's a single-layer coating, which may limit its performance in some applications.
- Application:
3PE Coating:
Often used for underground pipelines, especially in areas with corrosive soils and in applications where superior protection is required.
FBE Coating:
Commonly used for pipelines that are not submerged or in environments with less severe corrosion potential.
- Temperature Resistance:
3PE Coating:
Can withstand a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for both cold and hot environments.
FBE Coating:
Typically used in moderate temperature applications and may require additional insulation for extreme cold or hot conditions.
- Impact Resistance:
3PE Coating:
The outer polyethylene layer provides some impact resistance, making it suitable for pipelines exposed to physical stress.
FBE Coating:
May have lower impact resistance since it's a single-layer coating.
- Installation:
3PE Coating:
Requires a multi-step application process, which can be more complex and time-consuming compared to FBE.
FBE Coating:
Simpler and quicker to apply, which can reduce installation time and cost.
In summary, 3PE epoxy coated pipes offer superior corrosion protection, particularly in harsh environments, and have strong adhesion to the steel pipe. FBE epoxy coated pipes provide good corrosion resistance and are easier and quicker to apply. The choice between the two coatings depends on the specific requirements of the pipeline, the environmental conditions, and the budget constraints.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 3pe Coating Pipe.