3LPE vs. FBE Coating: Protecting Buried Pipelines from Corrosion
1. FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) A single-layer, thermoset polymer coating. It is applied as a dry powder that melts and cures onto a heated pipe. FBE provides excellent adhesion and resistance to cathodic disbondment but is susceptible to mechanical damage during transport.
2. 3LPE (3-Layer Polyethylene) A multi-layer coating system consisting of:
- Layer 1: High-performance FBE primer for chemical bonding.
- Layer 2: A copolymer adhesive layer for tie-bonding.
- Layer 3: A thick Polyethylene (PE) topcoat for mechanical protection.
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