A soil-to-air transition is one of the most vulnerable areas on a pipeline, tank, or terminal piping system.
This is where a protected surface moves from below-grade service into the atmosphere—and where moisture, oxygen, changing temperatures, and physical exposure can combine to create a demanding corrosion environment. Coating systems that perform well underground are not always enough by themselves at this transition point.
STOPAQ® viscoelastic coating systems are designed to conform closely to irregular surfaces and maintain intimate contact with the substrate. That makes them especially useful for complex areas where conventional coatings can be difficult to apply consistently, such as:
- Soil-to-air transitions
- Tank chimes
- Pipe risers
- Flanges and fittings
- Irregular or hard-to-access steel surfaces
- Areas requiring a durable, field-applied corrosion-protection system
A proper STOPAQ system is selected based on the application and may include surface preparation, a primer where required, filler to smooth irregular geometry, viscoelastic wrapping material, and an outer protective layer or topcoat appropriate for the environment.
The benefit is not simply “putting more material on the pipe.” The objective is to create a continuous, conformable corrosion-protection system that eliminates vulnerable gaps and protects the transition zone from water intrusion and exposure.
For facility operators, this can be a practical way to address known corrosion concerns before they become larger repair projects. For contractors, it can offer a workable system for challenging geometry that is difficult to protect with rigid coatings or conventional wraps.
If you have a soil-to-air transition, tank chime, riser, or other difficult corrosion-protection area, Joint Specialists Inc. can help evaluate whether a STOPAQ system is a fit for the job.
Steve Simpson
Joint Specialists Inc.
936-321-3333
steve@jsicoatings.com
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