A BBS Bumpers Success Story on Polypropylene Coated Pipe

We recently had the opportunity to work on a bundled road bore project using our BBS system—bumpers designed specifically to prevent pipe-on-pipe abrasion during the pull-through, with particular focus on protecting the girth welds.

There was just one catch: the pipeline was polypropylene coated.

Anyone who works in the coatings world knows that polypropylene can be a challenge. It’s a fantastic coating in many respects, but when the task at hand requires bonding something to it, the difficulty level increases quickly. And in this case, we weren’t just asking the system to stick.

We were asking it to:

• Bond reliably to polypropylene

• Survive being dragged thousands of feet through a bore hole

• Maintain position and integrity from entry to exit

That means the system had to deliver excellent shear strength, peel strength, penetration resistance, and abrasion resistance—all at the same time. That’s a big ask for any product.

Fortunately, the end user did something that almost never happens: they provided us with an actual sample of the polypropylene coating in advance. That allowed us to evaluate—firsthand—the bond our BBS system was making with their specific coating formulation.

To put that in perspective, roughly 95% of the orders we receive ship same day or next day. For a customer to give us a few weeks to slow down, test thoroughly, and validate performance in their environment? That’s a rare treat—and one we don’t take lightly.

After running the full gamut of testing, the results were clear. Our BBS system and this polypropylene coating were an excellent match. The bond performance met expectations across the board, giving everyone confidence heading into the installation.

And sure enough, the job went off without a hitch.

When the bundled pipe emerged from the exit hole, the bumpers were:

• Perfectly intact

• Undamaged

• In the exact same position they started in

No surprises. No failures. Just solid performance from start to finish.

This project was a great reminder that while coatings like polypropylene can present real challenges, the right testing—and the right solution—make all the difference.

BBS is an excellent product. And when paired correctly, it delivers exactly what bundled road bore applications demand: protection, durability, and peace of mind.

Tubular Shrink Sleeves Aren’t Going Away: A Look at Covalence TPS

This may surprise some folks in the pipeline world, but simple tubular shrink sleeves are still very much in use—especially on smaller diameter pipe. In fact, for many applications, they remain a practical, reliable, and cost-effective solution.

One standout example is Covalence TPS (Tubular Pipe Sleeve), formerly a Raychem product, which continues to see strong demand in the field.

A Proven Solution for Small Diameter Pipe

TPS is available for pipe sizes ranging from 2” through 8”, making it a go-to option for smaller diameter pipelines where simplicity and speed matter. Despite the evolution of field joint coatings over the years, TPS has held its ground—and for good reason.

Straightforward Installation, Strong Performance

Installation is refreshingly simple:

• The TPS sleeve is slipped onto the pipe prior to welding

• Once the weld is complete, the sleeve is slid back into position

• The release liner is removed

• The sleeve is then shrunk in place using a propane torch

No blasting required—wire-brushed pipe surfaces are sufficient, thanks to the highly aggressive mastic sealant that delivers a reliable seal and long-term protection.

If you’ve ever wondered whether TPS is still actively used, consider this:
the pallets stacked behind this sleeve are all TPS. We keep large volumes in stock, with each sleeve providing 18 inches of pipe coverage prior to shrinking. That kind of inventory doesn’t exist unless the product is still solving real-world problems.

TPS may not be the right answer for every project—but when conditions, pipe size, and installation requirements line up, it can be an excellent fit.

If you think Covalence TPS tubular shrink sleeves might work for your application, we’d love to talk it through with you. Sometimes, the simplest solutions are still the best ones.

 

Stopaq in Oman: Solving a Big Coating Problem the Simple Way

 

Today, Stopaq takes us to Oman—and one photo in particular says it all. Twenty-three people crowded into a ditch, leaning in to get a closer look at what was happening. When that many eyes are on a pipeline repair, you know it matters.

The project involved a 36-inch pipeline with extensive coating repair needs. The challenges were significant:

• Removal of existing disbonded coating (unfortunately, I don't know what coating was failing).

• The need for a repair material fully compatible with the remaining, properly bonded coating.

• Performance under harsh conditions, including UV exposure, high ambient temperatures, and constant exposure to sand.

• A strong preference from the pipeline owner for an environmentally friendly, hazard-free solution.

That’s a tall order—but Stopaq Wrappingband CZH with Outerwrap PVC checked every box… and then some.

Why It Worked

The solution required no preheating, no special tools, and no primers. Surface preparation was straightforward: an St2–St3 wire brush finish was sufficient. There was no need for extensive dust removal, and concerns about salt or bacterial contamination were eliminated.

From a safety and performance standpoint, the benefits were clear:

• No health or safety hazards

• Fully compatible with existing, properly bonded pipe coating

• Inert to aging and weathering during application

• Resistant to UV exposure and extreme environmental conditions

• Fast, easy application with reduced cycle times

• Immediate backfill allowed

What began as a massive problem—a pipeline coating failing in many locations—was ultimately solved in the simplest reasonable way.

Wrappingband CZH and Outerwrap turned a complex challenge into a clean, efficient repair.

Go Stopaq!