About FBEs:

FBEs or Fusion Bonded Epoxies are one of the most technically advanced coatings available on the market today. FBEs are heat cured, 100% solid, thermosetting epoxy resins. They are designed for hot or cold application on metals where a heavy buildup of protective coating is required.

These coatings are revolutionizing industries such as municipal water and sewage piping, hydro transformers, chemical testing equipment, desalinization equipment, and gas pipelines. FBEs have been used in high-sand-content seawater cooling pipework for the US Navy’s Trident submarine program as well as other marine applications. They have also been used for the last 20 years in the pump manufacturing industry effectively protecting against cavitation and slurry damage. FBEs remain unaffected by 60% Hydrochloric Acid, giving them unmatched chemical resistance.

Many municipalities have been switching to water and sewer pipe that has been coated with FBE in order to add increased efficiencies and years of extended use to new facilities and lines. The high durability is due to the fusion bonded epoxy’s high resistance to corrosive soils, abrasion, flexibility, high substrate adhesion, and thermal stability (no cold creep). In addition, the cured surface of the FBE creates a lower coefficient of friction than a liquid epoxy. This has several major benefits; lower horsepower requirements for a given thru-put, a surface that tends to accumulate less sludge, is easier to clean and resists microbial growth. In gas pipeline applications FBEs have been credited with flow rate increases of up to 15%.

FBE Characteristics

In addition to its durability, chemical resistance, and low coefficient of friction FBEs boast many other advantageous qualities. For example, FBEs have a very quick application and cure time. The coating is fully cured, hard, chemically resistant, and ready for service as soon as it has cooled off. This means operational, construction or repair savings. FBEs remain stable at working temperatures of up to approx. 120°C (250°F) with a standard 16mil (400 micron) coating. The coatings are also machinable by grinding or cutting. Field repair, should it be necisary, can be done easily with hot melt patch sticks or special liquid epoxies. However, the increased flexability of FBEs compared with other applications, and their easy preliminary quality inspections drastically reduce the need for on site repairs during the instalation or matanence process.

Water & Sewer Piping

A waterworks system represents a substantial investment on the part of the community, the engineering effort and the disruption during installation and reworking. The protection of those pipelines, valves, fittings, porous castings and associated equipment from the effects of contamination, corrosion and catastrophic failure is a prime concern to all stakeholders in the water system While critical to the operational costs and the lifetime of the facilities, the coating and lining represents only a small fraction of the cost of a pipeline system. The right coating/lining can reduce general maintenance time and costs, extend the system life, reduce the pumping energy required and affect capacity upgrades. Most FBE’s are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, they conform to the requirements of NSF Standard 61 for use as a coating in contact with potable water, and they also meet the requirements of the American Water Works Association coating standards C213 and C550.

If you would like some more information on Fusion Bond epoxies check out the 3M Scotchkote™ website to find out more about the coating and its possible applications. You may also contact us directly and we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

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