Powercrete J: The Premier Two-Part Epoxy for Field Joint Protection

When it comes to protecting pipeline weld joints, not all coatings are created equal. In demanding applications like directional drills and road bores, the stakes are even higher. Abrasion resistance, adhesion, and long-term corrosion protection aren’t optional — they’re essential.

That’s where Powercrete J stands apart.  It was built for Directional Drills and Road Bores

In HDD (horizontal directional drilling) and road bore installations, pipelines are subjected to:

• Extreme abrasion during pullback

• High soil stress and friction

• Challenging environmental conditions

Powercrete J has earned its reputation as a premier two-part epoxy field joint coating specifically because it performs under these exact conditions. Its abrasion resistance and bond strength make it a go-to solution when the weld joint cannot be the weak link.

When you’re pulling thousands of feet through a bore, the last thing you want is coating failure at the weld.

Here’s something many people don’t realize:  Powercrete J isn’t just for HDD and road bores.

It’s also an excellent solution for standard field joints. Even in conventional installations, weld areas deserve the same level of protection as the factory-applied coating. Using a high-performance epoxy ensures continuity of corrosion protection across the entire pipeline.

If your pipe has been factory coated with Powercrete-DD, the recommendation is simple:

Pair it with Powercrete J for the field joints.

Powercrete-DD is widely recognized as one of the best abrasion resistant overcoats (ARO) on the market. And if your pipeline deserves that level of factory protection, it only makes sense to extend that same standard to the weld joints.

Powercrete J is available as a standard in:

• 2-pound kits

• 4-pound kits

Custom kit sizes are also available upon request, giving contractors flexibility depending on pipe diameter and project scope.

Want to See It for Yourself?

If you’re in the United States and would like to get your hands on a sample, let’s talk. There’s no substitute for seeing how a product handles in real-world conditions.

When it comes to protecting weld joints — whether in a challenging directional drill or a standard pipeline installation — Powercrete J delivers performance you can trust.

Because your pipeline deserves more than “good enough.”

STOPAQ Offshore Success in the Arabian Gulf: Speed Without Sacrificing Performance

 

When it comes to offshore pipeline construction, time truly is money. Every hour on a barge carries significant cost, and any process that slows production can quickly turn into a major financial setback.

That was exactly the concern for a major project in the Arabian Gulf, where a client was searching for a better way to handle offshore field joint coatings on pipe sizes ranging from 4” to 18”. The project spanned from 2012 to 2014 — and the mission was clear:

Field joint coating could not be the bottleneck.

The Challenge: Fast, Reliable, Offshore-Ready

The client’s requirements were straightforward — but demanding:

• A system that was quick and easy to apply

• Proven, robust, and reliable performance offshore

• Ready to hit the rollers and face the sea in a very short timeframe

• Minimal HSE concerns

• No unnecessary equipment or complicated prep procedures

If you’ve spent any time offshore, you know how difficult it can be to balance speed with long-term corrosion protection. Many coating systems look good on paper but slow down production with cure times, blasting requirements, or complex heating procedures.

This client wasn’t willing to take that risk again.

The STOPAQ Solution

The winning system centered around STOPAQ, combining:

• Wrappingband CZHT

• Outerwrap

• High Impact Shield HT

• Rockshield

Together, these components delivered exactly what the project demanded.

One of the biggest advantages of the STOPAQ Wrappingband CZHT system is its surface prep requirements.

Instead of full abrasive blasting, surface preparation could be achieved with simple power tools. Offshore, this is a game changer. Less equipment, less logistical complexity, and less downtime.

Speed was critical.

With STOPAQ Wrappingband, there is no cure time required before applying the Outerwrap and High Impact Shield HT. Application can proceed immediately.

That dramatically reduced the cycle time per joint compared to other technologies under consideration — especially those requiring primer cure times or complex heating sequences.

On a barge, shaving minutes off each joint adds up quickly.

The system required:

• Less heating equipment

• No hazardous primers

That means fewer HSE risks, simplified compliance, and a safer working environment for crews — all while maintaining coating integrity.

In offshore environments, fewer variables often equal fewer problems.

The coating system was ready to see rollers and seawater within a very short time frame. There was no waiting around for cure development or strength build-up.

For offshore contractors, that kind of reliability isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

Checking Every Box

The client essentially submitted a checklist. The STOPAQ system checked every one:

Quick and easy to apply

Proven offshore performance

Reduced cycle time

Minimal surface prep requirements

Lower equipment demands

Improved HSE profile

Ready for immediate handling

From 2012 through 2014, this project demonstrated that STOPAQ isn’t just a corrosion solution — it’s a production solution.

Revisiting a Milestone in Raychem History: The Great Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Challenge (August 1975)

 

In August of 1975, Raychem found itself at the center of a historic moment in the oil and gas industry. The Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, a massive undertaking that would transport oil from the Alaskan wilderness to the rest of the world, was facing significant delays. One of the primary challenges? A substantial amount of pipe coated with Fusion Bond Epoxy (FBE) had been left exposed to the harsh UV rays of the Alaskan sun for far too long. As a result, the FBE began to degrade, jeopardizing the integrity of the entire pipeline.

Enter Raychem: a company known for its innovative solutions, but this time, the task ahead was nothing short of extraordinary. Raychem was given a daunting proposition: find a way to re-coat thousands of feet of exposed pipe without needing to ship it anywhere. The clock was ticking, and the stakes were high.

Raychem’s team immediately sprang into action. They understood that solving this issue wasn’t just about fixing a problem; it was about developing a solution that could be deployed quickly and effectively in some of the most remote and challenging conditions on Earth.

The result? Arcticlad. A revolutionary product—a spiral-wrapped, heat-shrinkable tape—was born. This tape could coat long lengths of pipe with precision, effectively protecting the pipeline and preventing further damage from UV exposure. But there was one more hurdle to overcome: the installation. Raychem didn’t just create a new product; they also engineered the machinery needed to apply the Arcticlad tape in the field.

This was a true engineering marvel. The teams worked tirelessly, and within an incredibly short amount of time, they had a solution that was both effective and scalable.

The success of Arcticlad wasn’t just a technical win. It was a business triumph that would have lasting implications for Raychem’s future. The ability to offer a cost-effective, field-deployable solution allowed the company to generate significant revenue while cementing its reputation as a leader in pipeline coatings. This success didn’t just solve a problem—it set the stage for Raychem’s pipeline division to thrive in the years to come, establishing a legacy that would last for decades.

Thanks to the ingenuity, quick thinking, and relentless dedication of the Raychem team, the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline project became more than just a milestone—it was a defining moment that helped Raychem’s pipeline division flourish and remain a leader in the industry for many years.

This remarkable chapter in Raychem’s history shows how, with the right combination of innovation, determination, and teamwork, a challenge can be transformed into an opportunity that reshapes the future.