Heat Shrink Sleeves: Essential Information for Accurate Quoting

Want help? Contact: steve@jsicoatings.com

In the realm of purchasing and procurement, field joint coatings often find themselves at the tail end of the decision-making process. These coatings, while crucial, are frequently addressed in the eleventh hour, resulting in a significant portion of our orders falling under the "emergency" or "hot tail gate rush" category. At Joint Specialists, we understand this reality and strive to provide timely and reliable solutions.

As a distributor of Raychem products, we take pride in our ability to ship 95% of orders on the same day they are received, even under urgent circumstances. However, even for these expedited requests, we require some fundamental information to ensure the proper recommendation and pricing of our heat shrink sleeves. While obtaining the Field Joint Coating Specification makes our job significantly easier, it often involves sifting through extensive technical documentation. Nevertheless, the basic sleeve information we require includes the following:

1. Outside Diameter of the Pipeline: This measurement helps us determine the appropriate size of the shrink sleeve needed for the application at hand. Understanding the pipeline's diameter enables us to select the most suitable product from our range of options.

2. Operating Temperature: Covalence, the manufacturer of our shrink sleeves, produces a variety of products with different adhesive properties. The operating temperature of the pipeline plays a vital role in adhesive performance. Knowing this information allows us to recommend the most effective heat shrink sleeve for the specific temperature conditions.

3. Factory Applied Coating: It is important to consider the compatibility of adhesives with the existing factory applied line coating. Not all adhesives work harmoniously with every type of coating. For example, hot melt adhesives are generally not compatible with Polypropylene coatings. Identifying these potential issues in advance helps avoid costly discoveries during field operations, such as on a pipe lay barge where every day of operation carries significant financial implications.

4. Cutbacks: A cutback refers to the exposed steel surface between the factory applied coating and the end of the pipe. To determine the amount of bare steel present at a field joint, we multiply the cutback measurement by two. This calculation aids us in selecting an appropriately sized shrink sleeve for optimal coverage and protection (refer to resources [here] and [here] for further details).

Additionally, we require information regarding the specific application in which the heat shrink sleeve will be used. Factors such as whether it is a standard "drop in the ditch" pipeline, a road bore, a directional drill, a high-temperature line, an onshore or offshore project, or even a deep-water scenario, all influence our product recommendations. Understanding these details ensures that we provide tailored solutions for diverse operational environments, taking into account any unique challenges or requirements associated with each application.

We acknowledge that the amount of information requested may initially seem overwhelming or daunting. However, it is essential to recognize the significance of field joint coatings in every oil and gas pipeline joint. In fact, these coatings are a requirement rather than an option. Embracing this opportunity to enhance your sales numbers, increase profitability, and, perhaps most importantly, provide valuable service to your customers, who might otherwise choose an unsuitable product, is crucial. Furthermore, by partnering with Joint Specialists, you gain access to product experts who are just a phone call (936/321-3333) or an email (steve@jsicoatings.com) away. We are here to support you, leveraging our expertise to ensure your success.

Rest assured that with Joint Specialists, the seemingly complex task of selecting and quoting heat shrink sleeves becomes more manageable. We are committed to streamlining the process, offering efficient solutions, and delivering exceptional customer service. Contact us today to explore how we can assist you in making informed decisions and meeting your field joint coating needs

Weld Joint Coating on Pipelines Coated with FBE

Technical Comparison between FBE Powder and Heat Shrink Sleeves

1 - Introduction

     Both joint coatings are used in the field and both have their advantages and disadvantages with regard to materials and application methods.

 

1.1 - Weld joint coating with epoxy powder

     The application process is the following:

     a) clean the exposed steel by sand or grit blasting to a degree of cleanliness of SA3 (or better)

     b) provide, by the same operation and the selection of the abrasive, a surface roughness of 80 to 160 microns (as required by the epoxy powder supplier) in order to create an adequate anchor pattern for the epoxy layer to adhere to the steel surface. 

     c) eliminate all sharp edges with a file or mechanic tool (all thin film coatings need this special care as part of the surface preparation).

     d) clean both edges of the adjacent line coating with a  solvent, to remove all traces of dirt, debris, oil, grease or other contamination.

     e) preheat the joint, with due consideration to the ambient temperature and the thermal inertia of the steel mass, up to 220C, to obtain a perfect fusion of the epoxy powder particles amongst themselves and with the steel surface. 

     f) apply the epoxy powder with an electrostatic spray gun (or flocker)

     g) allow to cure

     h) check the result

     i) paint holidays in the joint coating with liquid epoxy or FBE repair sticks

 

1.2 - Heat shrinkable sleeves

     The application is the following:

     a) clean the exposed steel by wire brushing to a cleanliness of ST3 or alternatively SA2 or SA 2 1/2 (some products require more surface preparation than others).
     b) clean superficially the two edges of the line coating.
     c) preheate the joint area to 80-160C (depending on the manufacturer's recommendation)
     d) if applicable, precoat the bare metal and adjacent FBE with epoxy primer
     e) wrap sleeve and secure closure
     f) shrink the sleeve on the pipe
     g) inspect

2 - Comparison
     Both processes give excellent results, provided they are applied in accordance with all applicable instructions.  However, all site operations made to date with the epoxy powder spraying method have shown a major drawback:  the process is complicated and not really appropriate for some field conditions. 

2.1 - Methods
     Fusion bonded epoxy powder needs to be applied under specific conditions and using specialized equipment that can only be properly controlled in a plant and at a very complex technical level.  It is not at all easy to ensure this same performance level under field conditions.

2.2 - Equipment

2.2.1 - The equipment required for the fusion bonded epoxy powder joint coating is comprised of the following:
     - a refrigerated storage container (the shelf and storage life of the epoxy powder decreases rapidly at temperatures exceeding 20C)
     - a mobile grit / sand blasting unit, that can achieve the required anchor pattern.
     - a solvent storage outfit with fire extinguishers
     - a screening, recycling and conditioning installation (fluidized bed) plus a primary electric power source.
     - an induction pipe preheating system, including a special generator set (single phase, 800 or more cycles, special cables and an induction coil per pipe size.
     - powder spray equipment with electrostatic spray gun
     - control equipment for constant monitoring of temperature and gelling
Most of the above equipment utilizes electronic components that suffer from voltage variations, temperature excursions and vibration (coming from the generator sets on the same frame). 

2.2.2 - The equipment required for heat shrink sleeve installation is:
     - electric or pneumatic wire brushes, or a simple sandblasting outfit
     - propane torches with propane bottles, or a simple induction heating system

2.3 - Skill of operators
     The complex application procedure of fusion bonded epoxy powder requires highly qualified technicians for both, powder application and equipment maintenance.  The application of heat shrink sleeves is a matter of a few hours of training. 

2.4 - Necessary manpower
     All the various activities involved with the storage / feeding / reconditioning and application of the epoxy powder obviously require much more manpower than the simple shrinking of sleeves.  Even when labor is inexpensive, this may become an important issue.  Very often, sites are in remote locations and only limited space is available in the living quarters. 

2.5 - Ease of creating supplementary crews
     If, during the construction period, more application crews become necessary, it is very easy to put together another crew of skilled heat shrink installers, as there is virtually no supplementary equipment needed.  On the other hand, every supplementary crew for epoxy powder needs new highly skilled specialists and a complete set of the equipment described in 2.2

2.6 - Life time of raw materials
     Epoxy powder has a limited life time, depending very much on storage and handling conditions.  A heat shrink sleeve can be kept in store for an unlimited period of time and at temperatures up to 55C

2.7 - Preheating temperatures
     The preheating temperatures for epoxy powder are in the range of 220C.  To obtain a uniform thickness, a uniform preheating temperature is an absolute must.
     Preheating temperatures for heat shrink sleeves are in the range of 80-160C, depending on the adhesives used.  In case of a liquid epoxy first layer, the preheating needs only to be at 60C for all adhesives.  Preheat temperatures up to 100C can be easily achieved with propane torches under all field conditions.

2.8 - Tie-ins
     For the epoxy powder, every tie-in crew also needs a complete set of equipment.  The equipment for tie-ins needs to be even more mobile than the standard joint-protection set. 

2.9 - Back-up equipment
     For the epoxy powder process at least one complete spare set of equipment needs to be kept on hand to avoid risking the complete shut down of the job. 



Heat Shrink Sleeve Benefits

Heat Shrinkable Sleeve Benefits (and Assets)

     What are the technical assets of heat shrinkable sleeves?

1. Covalence shrink sleeves have adhesives compatible with all plant coatings.
2. Heat shrink sleeves are shrinkable!  They have the ability to conform to irregularities (weld beads, coating transitions, etc)
3. Mastic shrink sleeves have self healing characteristics.
4. Shrink sleeves are resistant to damages
1. Resist backfill damage
2. Resist damage from J tube placement of pipe
3. Resist roller damage in offshore lay barge applications
4. Resist pipe spooling in reel bare operations
5. Heat shrink offers cathodic disbaonding resistance
1. Ability to resist cathodic disbanding under a variety of conditions.  Shown itself to withstand disbanding at hydrostatic pressures in deep water.
6. Shrink sleeves have a non-melting backing
1. Ability to withstand hot mastic pour systems at mastic temperatures of 200C plus
2. Unaffected by polyurethane foam where temperature generation can reach 300F
7. Heat shrinkable sleeves are designed to last as long as your pipeline does
1. Shrink sleeve backing is made with UV stabilizers and antioxidants
8. Heat shrink sleeves offer excellent electrical properties (this is a good thing in spite of what 'the other guys' say....over and over and over and over.
9. Joint Specialists is able to offer product support after the purchase of product

Pipeline Shrink Wrap

     Shrink Wrap for Pipelines

One example of our Pipeline Shrink Wrap - in this case; sealing a Flange (and re-enterable!)

     Pipeline Shrink Wrap.  Shrink Sleeves.  Dope Wrap.  Cigarette Wrap.  Tape Wrap.  Hot Wrap.  Rubber Wrap.  Shrinky Dinks (ok - no one has ever used this phrase to describe a shrink sleeve; but they do use the same technology of crosslinking to work!).

     No matter what you call them (and every time I think I've heard it all...I hear another), they all describe the same thing:  a heat shrinkable plastic, shrunk with a torch or a heat gun, designed to offer some kind of protection, insulation or sealing to some kind of a substrate.  The bulk of our business is in the pipeline world; but we are also involved in the electrical world; offering splices; sealing anode lead wires; protecting road bore pipe; and really just about any scenario that can be imagined.  When someone has a unique or unusual coating/sealing application - we are often their first and last stop to find a solution.

     With a proven use history, shrink wrap as a pipeline protector, pipeline coating, pipeline sealing, electrical sealing, cable repair, splice sealer, flange sealer, casing sealer, road bore coating, motor connection kit, high voltage termination, etc, etc, etc, etc is reliable, repeatable, dependable, cost effective and generally approved pretty much everywhere.  We know the truth - there aren't a lot of people in the industry who are genuine experts in heat shrink technologies.  It can be frustrating to find the right people to talk to.  It can be difficult to get a quote.  It can be impossible to get delivery information.  Joint Specialists changes that.

     We keep a large stock of material - ready to ship immediately.  We are technical experts.  We can help you find solutions.  We are the shrink wrap experts.  Give us a call or contact us using that box to the upper right of this page. (or call: 936/321-3333 -- or email: steve@jsicoatings.com).

Shrink Sleeve Installation Tools

Shrink Sleeve Installation Tools

Question:  What tools are required for Covalence heat shrink sleeve installation?

Answer:  Ignoring the need to clean the pipe, Covalence heat shrink sleeves do not require

any special tools during installation.  Here is what is needed:

- A means of measuring preheat temperature.  This could range from something as 

sophisticated as a pyrometer with roller probe; to something

as simple as a temp stick.  

An example of temp sticks for different temperatures

 - A broad flamed torch (Covalence shrink sleeves cannot be shrunk

using an acetylene torch or a welding torch).  Our torches are sold as a kit

which includes a torch with a pilot lights; a regulator with a pressure guage

and a thirty foot long hose. 

A JS-2601 Torch Kit - available at JSI

- A long handled silicone roller.  This is used after installation to roll the overlap area

and can be used in the event that any air has become trapped (which could be

caused by poor application).  

A long handled roller; used during heat shrink sleeve installation

(Keep in mind that the contractor or end user will need to supply their own propane tanks for installation) 

Heat Shrink Sleeves: Most Dangerous Installation Error

  Question:  What is the most dangerous installation error when installing a heat shrinkable sleeve?

  Answer:  I'm going to overlook things like 'failing to clean the pipe' and 'failing to preheat the pipe'.  The most dangerous installation error is an installer who simply fails to care for the bottom of the pipe.

  Pipeline spreads are often NOT pretty.

A fairly typical (maybe even a 'good' pipeline spread.

 As you can see, there just isn't very much room underneath the pipe.  But still, the bottom half of the pipeline must still be cleaned and preheated.  In addition, the bottom of the sleeve must be shrunk and shrunk appropriately!  This same potential problem exists for any coating of course; working a liquid epoxy to prevent icicles can be even more challenging.

In any case, anytime an inspector asks me "what should I be looking for" one of the first things out of my mouth is that he's almost certainly going to need to get his knees dirty as he'll be crouching down under that pipeline to make sure the sleeve has been properly shrunk on the bottom of the pipe (and he/she needs to be familiar with this page!)