Self-Healing Stopaq

 

What “Self-Healing” Really Means in the World of Stopaq

If you’ve spent any time around modern corrosion prevention technologies, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Stopaq is self-healing.” But what does that actually mean in real-world conditions? We recently put it to the test in our shop—and the results were impressive.

A couple of weeks ago, we were experimenting with some Wrappingband on pipe sections that were extremely dirty. (That part isn’t central to this post, but trust me—another write-up is coming that will show just how well Stopaq bonds even when the substrate is far from ideal.) For this test, instead of using the standard Outerwrap PE, we capped the system with a Covalence heat-shrink sleeve.

Once everything cooled, we made a few cuts to see how the system behaved. These were very basic peel tests, and—no surprise—there was full cohesive failure, even though the pipe surface was in awful shape. But here’s what really stood out: the amount of Stopaq Wrappingband that oozed out of the cut. It pushed its way into the opening immediately, exactly as a self-sealing visco-elastic coating should. It was one of those “wow” moments that perfectly demonstrates the material’s nature.

Then we took things further. Using a hammer and a screwdriver, we intentionally damaged the coating system all the way down to bare steel. And within just a few hours, the Stopaq material had already flowed back in, filling and sealing the area that was much larger than a typical pinhole.

That’s the essence of self-healing:
When Stopaq is damaged—during backfill, by a careless worker, by debris, or even by a stray rock kicked up by equipment—it doesn’t wait for someone to come fix it. The material migrates, fills, wets, and reseals the vulnerable area before anyone even knows there was a problem.

This is one of the biggest reasons asset owners trust visco-elastic technology. It delivers long-term protection, even in the messy, unpredictable conditions of real job sites.

More testing photos and details coming soon!

Wireline Splice with Heat Shrink Tubing

 

Why Raychem WCSM Is the Field-Proven Choice for Splicing HDD Drill Wire and Repairing Cable Jackets

In the world of horizontal directional drilling (HDD), you don’t always get ideal working conditions. Mud, weather, tight timelines, and constant mechanical stress are part of everyday life on a drill site. When it comes to wireline—also known as HDD drill wire—any splice or cable repair has to be fast, repeatable, and strong enough to survive the forces of going underground.

That’s exactly where Raychem’s WCSM heavy-wall heat shrink tubing has earned its reputation.

A Heavy-Wall Heat Shrink Designed for Tough Jobs

WCSM is built with a thick, rugged polyolefin heat-shrink sleeve and a fully bonded internal sealant layer. As it shrinks with heat, the material conforms tightly to the cable, and the sealant flows into every gap, creating a durable, watertight, dirt-tight seal.

This combination makes WCSM a go-to solution for two important HDD applications:

• Splicing HDD drill wire / wireline

• Repairing damage to cable jackets

These are high-consequence tasks. HDD wireline carries location data, communication signals, and power to the downhole tools. A weak splice or exposed jacket can lead to downtime, signal failure, or even full pullback interruptions—none of which anyone wants in the middle of a bore.

Fast Installs—With No Complicated Prep Work

One of the biggest advantages of WCSM is how quickly it can be installed. Crews don’t need specialty tools or extensive surface prep. A propane torch or industrial heat gun is all that’s required.

Once the sleeve is positioned over the splice or damaged jacket:

1. Apply heat evenly.

2. The sleeve shrinks and the sealant activates.

3. Within seconds, the splice is fully sealed and protected.

When the sleeve cools to ambient temperature, the cable can immediately handle the rigors of an HDD pullback. And if the job demands speed, the sleeve can be quench-cooled to get drilling operations moving even faster.

Built for High Voltage and Harsh Environments

WCSM is rated for use on electrical lines carrying 1,000 volts or more, which gives crews confidence when working on critical power-carrying cables and specialty drill wire. When used in jacket repair applications—without direct exposure to conductor voltage—the safe operating range increases even more.

This voltage rating, combined with the mechanical strength and environmental sealing of the product, makes WCSM suitable for a broad range of industries:

• HDD and trenchless construction

• Underground utilities

• Power and electrical contractors

• Industrial cable installers

• Field service and maintenance crews

Any Size. Any Length. Ready When You Are.

Another reason WCSM is such a widely used field solution is its flexibility. It comes in multiple diameters to match everything from small communication lines to larger power cables. And because it’s cut-to-length, crews can order exactly what they need:

• 6-inch sleeves

• 12-inch sleeves

• 24-inch sections

• 48-inch sections

• Or custom lengths beyond that

No wasted material. No improvising on site. Just the right size for the splice or repair.

A Simple Product That Solves a Big Problem

In HDD operations, small issues can quickly turn into big headaches—especially when underground cable integrity is at stake. Raychem WCSM is one of those straightforward, reliable products that saves time, reduces rework, and gives crews confidence that their splice or repair will hold up under pressure.

If your team regularly splices HDD wireline or repairs field-damaged cable jackets, adding WCSM to your standard toolkit is a smart investment. If you need help selecting the correct size or want lengths pre-cut for a particular project, we’re always here to help.

 

How Stopaq Insulwrap Helps Fight Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)

Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is one of the costliest and most frustrating challenges faced across oil & gas, pipeline, refining, chemical, power, and industrial facilities. It’s not dramatic, and it’s not always visible — but it is relentless. Once moisture finds its way into an insulation system, the corrosion process begins quietly and continues unnoticed until it becomes a serious mechanical-integrity issue.

Industry reports estimate that CUI accounts for billions of dollars in damage every year. Repairs, replacement, downtime, and safety implications make it a problem no asset owner can afford to ignore.

That’s why the choice of vapor barrier and over-insulation materials is such a critical component of any insulation system design or rehabilitation project. And it’s exactly where Stopaq Insulwrap has proven its value.

---

Why CUI Happens — and Why Better Barriers Matter

Most insulation failures start with one simple problem: moisture intrusion.

Moisture enters an insulation system through:

• Damaged cladding

• Poorly sealed joints

• Mechanical abuse

• Weathering

• Thermal cycling and expansion

• Improperly sealed fittings and transitions

Once water gets in, insulation becomes saturated, steel temperatures fluctuate, and corrosion accelerates. Traditional vapor barriers often fail at overlaps, transitions, or irregular shapes — the exact places where water loves to find a way in.

To fight CUI, the system must stay sealed, dry, and flexible over time.

---

Where Stopaq Insulwrap Makes the Difference

Stopaq Insulwrap is a self-bonding, self-sealing insulation wrap designed specifically to keep moisture out of the insulation system. Built on Stopaq’s long-proven polyisobutylene sealant technology, Insulwrap forms a continuous, flexible vapor barrier around piping, tanks, ducts, and vessels.

Here’s what sets it apart:

1. A True Vapor Barrier — Not Just a Wrap

The aluminum/polyester laminate combined with a fully adhesive sealant layer creates a zero-pathway barrier. Moisture can’t migrate through the material or through the overlaps.

2. Self-Bonding & Self-Healing

The polyisobutylene sealant adheres aggressively to its own backing and to insulation surfaces. Even minor mechanical damage can re-seal, preventing the slow moisture ingress that leads to CUI over time.

3. Outstanding Conformability

Irregular shapes—valves, elbows, fittings, supports, transitions—are usually the weak points. Insulwrap is flexible enough to conform tightly around complex geometries, eliminating gaps and voids.

4. Long-Term Flexibility

Unlike many traditional wraps that harden, crack, or delaminate over time, Insulwrap stays flexible throughout its service life. That means no opening of seams as the system thermally cycles.

5. Available in Flame-Retardant Formulations

Insulwrap-FR adds fire retardancy for environments where elevated safety standards or regulations apply.

---

The Result: A Drier System, Longer Asset Life, and Stronger CUI Defense

CUI isn’t solved by one layer of material — it’s solved by a system designed to stay dry. Insulwrap plays a key role in that system by ensuring that moisture never reaches the insulation in the first place.

When used as part of a full insulation and cladding design, Insulwrap helps:

• Maintain insulation performance

• Protect steel surfaces from corrosion

• Reduce long-term maintenance costs

• Extend asset life

• Improve overall plant reliability

For facilities aiming to reduce unplanned shutdowns and deliver predictable asset-integrity performance, choosing better vapor-barrier materials is one of the smartest long-term investments.

---

Supporting CUI Prevention at Every Step

At Joint Specialists, we’ve seen firsthand how proactive choices in insulation materials dramatically change long-term results. Whether it’s a new installation, a CUI remediation project, or an insulation system rebuild, Stopaq Insulwrap offers a simple, effective, and durable barrier against one of the industry’s biggest ongoing challenges.

If you’d like help evaluating Insulwrap, Stopaq systems, or overall insulation-system design considerations, we’re always here to support your team.