A
significant challenge in pipeline construction is
to ensure that the field joints are adequately
protected from corrosion. This generally
involves the application of a suitable coating
system on the girth weld area and a cathodic impressed
current along the pipeline. Whilst there are a number of
different types of coatings available for field joints, one
of the most effective is a dual-layer fusion-bonded epoxy
(FBE) powder coating system given its compatibility with
cathodic protection current and a combination of high
performance properties, including damage resistance and
corrosion resistance. Dual-layer FBE is a widely recognised
system for coating field joints
1
with an extensive
commercial project track record.
The field joint coating is often perceived as the
weakest link in pipeline corrosion protection. Although the
range of materials currently used for field joint coatings
is considerable, some of these are now internationally
