Stopaq: Back to Basics (Part 2)

 

Stopaq: Back to Basics (Part 2)

For more than 30 years, Stopaq visco-elastic material has set the standard in visco-elastic corrosion protection technologies. In an industry where surface preparation, labor, and access can quickly drive costs, Stopaq has earned its reputation by doing something simple—and doing it exceptionally well.

At its core, Stopaq is designed with practicality in mind. Minimal surface preparation, excellent sealing capabilities, and straightforward installation make it an attractive option for a wide range of applications. When you factor in the reduced need for abrasive blasting, significantly lower labor requirements, and minimal scaffolding, the overall economics become even more compelling.

From a materials standpoint, Stopaq is a fully amorphous, non-crosslinkable Polyisobutene (PIB) composition. Once applied, it is totally impermeable, forming a continuous barrier that protects steel from water, oxygen, and other corrosion-driving elements. This visco-elastic behavior allows the material to conform to the substrate, maintain intimate contact with the surface, and continue sealing over time.

Where Stopaq really shines is in repair, rehabilitation, and recoating work—especially for “inside-the-fence” plant and refinery applications. These environments often demand fast turnarounds, limited surface prep, and safe, efficient installation methods. In these scenarios, focusing solely on material price can be misleading.

Instead, the smarter approach is to evaluate the total job cost. When reduced prep, faster installation, and long-term performance are taken into account, Stopaq frequently proves to be one of the most cost-effective solutions available.

If you’re involved in repair, rehab, or recoating projects and aren’t at least considering Stopaq as your primary repair material, you may be doing yourself—and your budget—a disservice.