For a cold-applied pipeline tape system, performance begins well before the tape is unrolled.
Products such as Polyken® tape systems can provide reliable corrosion protection for pipeline joints, repairs, and other field applications—but only when the surface is properly prepared and the system is applied with consistent technique.
The installation details matter. A clean, dry surface helps the system make proper contact. Where specified, primer helps prepare the substrate. Proper tape tension and overlap help create a continuous protective barrier around the pipe.
Some of the most important application points include:
- Remove dirt, moisture, loose coating, and other contaminants
- Prepare the surface as required by the selected system
- Use the appropriate primer when specified
- Apply the tape with consistent tension and the correct overlap
- Pay special attention to weld seams, fittings, irregular shapes, and pipe ends
- Inspect the completed wrap before backfill or putting the line back in service
Poor overlap, trapped contamination, or rushed surface preparation can create weak points that allow water intrusion and compromise the coating system. Those problems may not be obvious at installation—but they can become expensive later.
That is why material selection and installation discipline must work together. The right tape system, properly applied, helps protect the steel and gives owners greater confidence in the integrity of the repaired or coated area.
Joint Specialists Inc. can help contractors, pipeline operators, and coating crews select Polyken tape materials for the application and ensure they have the components needed to complete the work correctly.
Steve Simpson
Joint Specialists Inc.
936-321-3333
steve@jsicoatings.com
Comments
Post a Comment