A Guide to Covalence Pipeline Coating Products Beyond WaterWrap
Protecting steel pipelines against corrosion requires selecting the appropriate coating system for the application.
Different pipeline projects present different challenges.
Some require field joint corrosion protection. Others involve pipeline rehabilitation, irregular pipe geometries, or additional mechanical protection during construction.
The Covalence product family includes a variety of heat shrinkable and related pipeline protection products designed for different applications.
Understanding the differences between these products can help engineers and contractors select a coating system that meets their project requirements.
What Are Covalence Pipeline Coating Products?
Covalence is a recognized name in heat shrinkable pipeline coating technology.
Heat shrinkable products are widely used in pipeline construction, particularly for protecting field joints and other areas where the factory-applied coating must be completed.
These systems generally use a heat shrinkable backing combined with an adhesive or sealant designed for the intended application.
When installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, the material shrinks around the pipe and forms part of the protective coating system.
Why Are Heat Shrink Sleeves Used?
During pipeline construction, sections of pipe are welded together.
The areas around these welds generally cannot be fully coated until after the welding operation.
A heat shrink sleeve provides one method of completing the external corrosion protection system at these field joints.
Depending on the product, heat shrinkable systems may offer:
Conformity around pipe surfaces
Factory-manufactured coating components
Compatibility with specified mainline coatings
Protection against environmental exposure
Application options for different pipeline conditions
The correct sleeve must be selected for the intended service.
Covalence WPCT
WPCT is another product designation within the Covalence family. Rated for use at temperatures up to 140F, WPCT is a wrap around shrink sleeve that utilizes a butyl mastic sealant.
Covalence DIRAX
DIRAX is the Covalence / Raychem product that is specifically designed for use on pipelines that will be involved with road bores and directional drilling applications. DIRAX utilizes a multi layer coating system which helps it withstand the extreme forces that coatings experience on a road bore.
How Do You Select the Correct Covalence Product?
The first step is to determine what the coating must accomplish.
Questions to consider include:
What is the application?
Is the project a new field joint, a repair, a rehabilitation project, or a specialized protection application?
What coating is already on the pipe?
Compatibility with the existing mainline coating is important.
What are the operating conditions?
Temperature, burial conditions, and exposure to mechanical stresses may influence product selection.
What are the installation conditions?
Pipe diameter, access, surface preparation, heating equipment, and construction schedules should all be considered.
What does the project specification require?
Many pipeline projects specify an approved coating system. Substitutions should be reviewed and approved before use.
Why Does Product Selection Matter?
A coating system must be suitable for both the installation environment and the long-term operating conditions.
Selecting a product solely because it is heat shrinkable can lead to specification problems.
Different products have different dimensions, application procedures, temperature limits, and performance characteristics.
Understanding these differences helps contractors avoid ordering the wrong material.
Covalence Products From Joint Specialists Inc.
Joint Specialists Inc. (JSI) has decades of experience supplying pipeline coating and corrosion protection products.
JSI works with contractors and industrial customers requiring heat shrinkable sleeves and other pipeline protection materials.
Whether your project calls for WCSM, WPCT, DIRAX, Flexclad, or another Covalence product, identifying the correct product and dimensions is essential.
Contact Joint Specialists Inc. for Covalence product information, quotations, technical documentation, and material availability.
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