WPC Installation Instructions

WPC

Wraparound Pipe Sleeve for Field Girthweld Corrosion Protection

                                                                                                                                                                   

WPC heat-shrinkable wraparound sleeves are designed for corrosion protection of girthwelds on buried pipelines.

WPC sleeves have a thick radiation-crosslinked polyolefin backing coated with a specially formulated mastic sealant. During installation the mastic flows and fills surface irregularities, bonding to metal and adjacent coating surfaces. The flexible closure is coated with a high shear-strength adhesive and is kitted with the sleeve; however,  it is available pre-attached to the sleeve in the UNISLEEVE construction.

Simple Installation                                                         Resists Adverse Environments

To install, wrap the sleeve around a clean,                                                WPC sleeves resist hydrostatic pressure.           

preheated pipe. A flexible closure forms the                                            They demonstrate high resistance to

sleeve into a tube. The sleeve is then torch-                                             ultraviolet light, fungus, bacteria, cathodic

shrunk around the pipe.                                                                             disbondment and chemical attack by

                                                                                                                    common fluids and solvents.

Rugged and Mechanically Strong                                               Versatile

WPC sleeves resist abrasion, impact and                                                     WPC sleeves are compatible with all

 penetration. No rock-shield is required                                                    standard pipe coatings and outer jackets

                                                                                        including fusion-bonded epoxy, polyethylene,
                                                                                                                     tape and coal tar. The product has a long
                                                                                                                     shelf-life when stored correctly at tempera-
                                                                                                                     tures below 50 degrees C

                                                                                                                                                                       

Materials and equipment

1. Appropriate size WPC sleeve and WPCP IV closure patch
2. Raychem torch (or equivalent)
3. Propane gas tank, hose, regulator and gauge
4. Standard safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, hard hat, etc.

* Installation has to be done according to local government regulations and usual safety precautions. 
                                                                                                                                                                       

Sleeve Application

1. Clean exposed steel and adjacent pipe                      

coating to be covered by WPC sleeve with a

hand or power wire brush, to remove loose

and foreign materials. Wiping may be

necessary to remove the particles from

cleaning.

Note:

Coal tar - remove outer paper wrap 5" (125

mm) to 6" (150 mm) adjacent to cut-back to

expose coal tar.

 Painted coatings - remove whitewash paint

on the surface of coating to be covered by

WPC sleeve.

2. Preheat joint area until approximately

140 degrees F (60 degrees C) minimum and check for 

conformance either by temperature gauge or other temperature

measuring device. Preheating reduces installation time

and ensures proper bonding.

 Note:

Two people working on opposite sides of

the pipe are recommended for installing 

sleeves on pipe 16" (400 mm) in diameter

and larger.

3. Remove the protective release plastic from the

coated sleeve. Center sleeve over the weld so it is

evenly overlapping adjacent pipe coating. Wrap 

loosely around pipe so that the Raychem logo runs

around the pipe.

Note:

1) Clean over lap area of the sleeve to remove

dirt and other foreign material.

2) Edges of sleeve should extend 2" or more

onto adjacent pipe coating.

3) Overlapping ends of sleeve should align evenly.

4)Position overlap to permit easy access for installing closure.

                                                                                                                                                                   

WPCP IV Closure Application

1. Press WPCP IV closure in position, centering over the exposed

         sheet end.(For UNI-sleeve products, the closure is pre-attached 

  and already centered in position.)The sheet should overlap the 

sheet (excluding closure) by 2" (50 mm) minimum. 

2. Using a Raychem torch (or equivalent), adjust flame length to 

approximately 20" (500 mm) to produce a blue tipped yellow

flame.Using the yellow portion of the flame, heat the closure 

evenly until the pattern of the fabric reinforcement is visible. 

With gloved hand, pat down the closure and smooth any wrinkles by gently
working them outward from the center of the closure.

                                                                                                                                                                        

Sleeve Recovery

1. Using the Raychem torch (or equivalent),

begin at the center of the sleeve and heat

circumferentially around the pipe using a

constant paintbrush motion.

2. Continue heating toward one end of the

sleeve, followed by the other.

Note:

Sleeve may be recovered starting at one end

and proceeding toward the opposite end,

depending on conditions (i.e., wind).

3. During shrinkdown, occasionally check

adhesive flow with a finger. Wrinkles should

disappear automatically. Remember to wear

gloves.

Note:

While sleeve is hot, press roll overlap and

closure area to remove any air voids.

4. Sleeve is fully recovered when all of the

following have occured:

1) There are no cold spots or dimples on the sleeve surface.

2) Weld bead profile can be seen through the sleeve.

3) After sleeve is cool, mastic flow is evident on both edges.

4) The sleeve has fully conformed to the pipe and adjacent coating.