What are the 3PE and FBE Coating Differences? 3PE coating and FBE coating are two different types of pipe coating technologies for corrosion protection. Pipe coatings have a significant impact on the anti-corrosion performance of the pipe and the life time of the operation. Some pipes made of different materials can last for decades, while others leak in a few years because of the different internal and external anti-corrosion processes used.
The full name of 3PE coating is three layers structure polyethylene anticorrosion coating, and the full name of FBE coating is Fusion Bond Epoxy Coating, so what are the 3PE and FBE Coating Differences? What are the advantages of these two pipe coating technologies? This article will provide a detailed introduction.
What is 3PE Coating
3PE coating is the abbreviation of three-layer structure polyethylene anticorrosion. 3PE anticorrosion includes three anticorrosion layers, namely: epoxy powder layer, adhesive layer, polyethylene anticorrosion layer. The outer layer is polyethylene, the middle layer of adhesive, and the inner layer is epoxy powder, the three layers of anti-corrosion layer together into a high-performance organic anti-corrosion coating. This anticorrosive coating is a very mainstream pipeline anti-corrosion process, has been widely used at home and abroad. Its outermost polyethylene anti-corrosion layer is divided into two types: two-layer structure and three-layer structure. The bottom layer of two-layer structure is adhesive, and the outer layer is polyethylene; the bottom layer of three-layer structure is epoxy coating, the middle layer is adhesive, and the surface layer is polyethylene. The thickness of anti-corrosion is 1.8-3.0mm for ordinary grade and 2.5-3.7mm for reinforced grade.
Core Features of 3PE Coating
Pipes with 3PE coating can significantly improve their mechanical strength and environmental resilience. This is due to the combined effect of the three layers of 3PE coating.
First, the first layer of FBE provides the foundation for the corrosion protection of the pipe. The second layer of adhesive carries out the bonding between the layers. The third layer, PE, protects against physical damage and UV rays.
Although 3PE anti-corrosion coatings have a multi-layer structure, the thickness can still be customized to meet the needs of the customer. The total thickness is 1.5-4.0mm (FBE layer 50-100μ, adhesive layer 250-400μ, PE layer 1.4-4.0mm). High temperature adaptability. Temperature range -60°C to 110°C.
Advantages of 3PE Coating
- Non-toxic and recyclable, very environmentally friendly.
- Excellent resistance to abrasion, impact and UV.
- Heat loss can be reduced by up to 75% compared to bare pipe.
- High ductility, can be stretched up to 5 times its original length.
What is FBE
FBE coating is short for Fusion Bond Epoxy Coating, which is a thermosetting epoxy resin high-performance anticorrosion technology. FBE coated pipes are preheated on the surface of the steel pipe by a high-temperature fusion process. When the pipe is preheated to 180°C to 250°C (360°F to 480°F), the epoxy powder chemically reacts with the steel surface and instantly melts at high temperatures to form a three-dimensional cross-linking network structure. This structure gives FBE coating superior chemical inertness, abrasion resistance and adhesion. Therefore, it is widely used in the fields of water, petrochemical and so on.
Core Features of FBE Coating
The structure of FBE coating is divided into Single or double epoxylayer and double layer FBE coating (DFBE).
The standard thickness of single layer is 400-600 microns. ASTM A53, A795 standard FBE coating Single or double epoxylayer steel pipe is used for fire protection piping system in wet environment.
The addition of a toughened modified epoxy layer to the base layer is a double layer FBE coating (DFBE). The thickness is about 100-200 microns. Good flexibility and impact resistance make it commonly used in low temperature environments and submarine pipelines.
FBE anti-corrosion coatings are brittle at low temperatures and are prone to cracking at temperatures below -30°C. The FBE anti-corrosion coatings can be applied to pipelines at low temperatures.
Advantages of FBE Coating
- High abrasion resistance and stability in humid and chemically corrosive environments.
- Can be bonded to steel surfaces.
- Suitable for internal and external wall protection of pipelines.
3PE and FBE Coating Differences
The material structure of 3PE and FBE coating pipes affects their performance indicators, which need to be tested for their performance.
Test | Revestimiento FBE | 3PE Coating |
Adhesion Strength | ≥10 MPa (ASTM D4541) | ≥15 MPa (ISO 4624) |
Impact Resistance | 1.5 J (ISO 6272) | 25 J (ISO 6272) |
Cathodic Disbondment | ≤8 mm (48h, ASTM G8) | ≤5 mm (48h, ISO 15741) |
Water Permeability | 0.5–1.0 g/m²/day | <0.1 g/m²/day |
UV Resistance | Poor (requires topcoat for sunlight) | Excellent (PE layer blocks 99% UV) |
3PE and FBE Coating Pipes Application Scene
- FBE Coating: Short-distance low-pressure pipelines, budget-limited projects, non-extreme environments.
- 3PE Coating: Transnational gas pipelines, submarine/permafrost burial, transport of highly corrosive media.
