Fusion-bonded epoxy(FBE) coated steel pipe

• ​Introduction

Fusion-bonded epoxy coated steel pipe, often abbreviated as FBE coated steel pipe, is a type of anti-corrosion steel pipe that uses epoxy powder as the coating material. Through electrostatic spraying, the epoxy powder melts and adheres to the surface of the preheated steel pipe, forming a dense, smooth, and firmly bonded anti-corrosion layer after cooling. This coating combines excellent chemical resistance, mechanical properties, and adhesion, making it widely used in pipeline systems for transporting oil, gas, water, and other media.

• ​Main Functions

Corrosion Resistance: The dense epoxy coating isolates the steel pipe from corrosive media (such as water, oxygen, sulfides, and salts), preventing electrochemical corrosion and chemical erosion, thereby extending the service life of the pipe.

Mechanical Protection: The coating has good impact resistance, wear resistance, and pressure resistance, which can protect the steel pipe from external mechanical damage during transportation, installation, and operation.

Smooth Flow Promotion: The smooth surface of the coating reduces the friction resistance of the transported medium, improving the flow efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Adhesion Stability: It forms a strong bond with the steel pipe surface, avoiding peeling or delamination under temperature changes, vibration, or external forces, ensuring long-term effectiveness of anti-corrosion.

• ​Tubing Standards

ISO 21809-2； ASTM A53，ASTM A106，API 5L，AWWA C213，CSA Z245.20； EN 10255，EN 10240，EN ISO 21809-2； GB/T 3091，GB/T 13793，GB/T 9711，GB/T 8163，GB/T 39636.

• ​Material & Performance

Base Material: ASTM A53: Grade A、B，ASTM A106: Grade A、B、C； EN 10255: S195T、S235JRH、S275JRH、S355JRH； GB/T 3091: Q215A/B、Q235A/B、Q355B, GB/T 8163：10#，20#，Q355，Q420， GB/T 13793: Q195、Q215A/B、Q235A/B、Q355B、Q390B；

Anti-corrosion Coating: Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Powder (FBE).

Thickness: Internal Coating thickness: ≥300μm.

Key Performance : Corrosion Resistance-FBE coatings can effectively resist erosion from soil, water (including fresh water and seawater), chemicals (acids, alkalis, etc.) and microorganisms, providing long-term protection for steel pipes. Superior Adhesion-The coating has strong adhesion to the surface of steel pipes. After high-temperature melting and curing, it forms strong chemical bonds, which are not easy to peel off or fall off, and can remain stable even during pipe handling or burial. Good Mechanical Properties-It has high hardness and wear resistance, can withstand certain mechanical impact, friction and soil pressure, and reduce coating damage during pipeline construction and use. High and Low Temperature Resistance-It can maintain stable performance in a wide temperature range, suitable for transporting high-temperature media (such as hot oil, steam) or use in cold areas, and is not easy to crack or age due to temperature changes. Electrical Insulation-The coating has good electrical insulation, which can prevent electrochemical corrosion of steel pipes. It is often used with cathodic protection technology to further improve the anti-corrosion effect. Environmental Friendliness-It contains no solvents or only a small amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing little pollution to the environment during production and use, and meets environmental protection requirements. Longevity and Economy-It has a long service life, generally 20-50 years, reducing the frequency of pipeline maintenance and replacement, and can reduce comprehensive costs in the long run.

• ​Manufacturing Process

Steel Pipe Base Material Pretreatment: Steel Pipe Inspection: Conduct dimension inspection (diameter, wall thickness), mechanical property testing (tensile, bending test) and non-destructive testing (ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing) on the incoming steel pipes, and reject unqualified base materials. Surface Derusting: Use shot blasting derusting process to completely remove the scale, rust and oil on the inner and outer walls of the steel pipe, so that the surface roughness reaches Ra 40-80μm ( Sa 2.5 standard) to enhance coating adhesion.

Preheating: Heat the steel pipe to 230-250℃ (FBE powder curing temperature) through medium-frequency induction heating equipment to ensure that the powder can be cured quickly after coating.

FBE Powder Coating: Use the “electrostatic spraying” process to uniformly spray FBE powder on the wall of the steel pipe. The powder melts and levels when heated to form a continuous and smooth coating.

Curing & Cooling: The coated steel pipe enters a curing oven (maintain 230-250℃, curing time 10-15 minutes) to fully cure the FBE coating; then the temperature of the steel pipe is cooled to below 60℃ by water cooling or air cooling to avoid coating deformation.

Inspection: Conduct appearance inspection (no bubbles or scratches on the coating), thickness detection (coating thickness gauge), adhesion test, spark leak detection (detect coating pinholes) and impact resistance test on the finished steel pipes. Only qualified products can be put into storage.

Packaging: Use pipe end protection caps to protect the pipe orifices, wrap the outer wall of the steel pipe with waterproof film, and bundle it with steel strips for transportation and storage, preventing coating damage during transportation.

• Specifications