FBE coated pipe refers to a Fusion Bonded Epoxy coated pipe, which is a type of steel pipe that has been coated with a protective epoxy powder to enhance its corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, and mechanical strength, especially in harsh environments such as underground or underwater pipelines.
What is FBE Coating?
Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) is a thermosetting epoxy powder coating that is electrostatically applied to pre-heated steel pipe surfaces and then cured (fused) to form a tough, continuous protective film.
How FBE Coating Is Applied:
Surface preparation: The pipe is cleaned by sandblasting or shot blasting to remove rust, mill scale, and other contaminants.
Heating: The pipe is heated to around 200–250°C (392–482°F).
Powder application: FBE powder is sprayed onto the hot surface using an electrostatic gun, and it melts and flows to form a uniform coating.
Curing: The epoxy undergoes a chemical cross-linking reaction and hardens to form a solid protective layer.
Cooling: The coated pipe is cooled before inspection and storage.
Advantages of FBE Coated Pipe:
Excellent corrosion resistance (especially in buried and marine environments)
Strong adhesion to steel surface
Good impact and abrasion resistance
Long service life
Environmentally friendly (no solvents or VOCs)
Resistant to cathodic disbondment (important in pipelines with cathodic protection)
Applications of FBE Coated Pipes:
Oil & gas pipelines
Water transmission lines
Natural gas distribution
Wastewater systems
Industrial piping in corrosive environments
Types of FBE Coatings:
|
Type |
Description |
|
Single-layer FBE |
Standard for general anti-corrosion use in moderate environments. |
|
Dual-layer FBE |
Adds a second epoxy layer for enhanced protection in severe conditions. |
|
3-Layer FBE System |
Combines FBE primer + adhesive + polyethylene or polypropylene topcoat. |
