Leakless in Seattle as Plascoat PPA571 gets pipeline protection approval

Citation

(2000), "Leakless in Seattle as Plascoat PPA571 gets pipeline protection approval", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 29 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2000.12929aaf.003

Leakless in Seattle as Plascoat PPA571 gets pipeline protection approval

Keywords Plascoat, Pipelines, Powder coatings, Corrosion prevention

The performance of pipework 6,000 miles away in the salt-laden glacial clay of Gothenburg, Sweden, has helped the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to choose a new alternative for the longer-term protection from corrosion of its ductile iron water supply-pipes.

The acidic nature of the Seattle soil and other environmental concerns inspired a world-wide search by Seattle engineers, unhappy with the performance of traditional protection systems such as extruded polyethylene tape-over adhesive.

The solution, identified in Gothenburg by SPU engineers Jeff Pimental and Charlie Madden, is PPA571, a high performance coating developed by Plascoat.

Plascoat has collaborated closely with innovative coaters SPC of Seattle in adapting the solution to the Seattle situation, where PPA has been fast tracked into SPUs specification for its current construction programme. This has enabled SPU to use PPA571 in a major project that will involve the replacement of approximately 21,000 feet of ductile iron pipe ranging from four to 24 inches in diameter.

Further evidence supporting the value of the thermoplastic powder coating has come from the harsh environment of the Arizona desert. There, Plascoat informs us, its coating has overcome a chronic leakage problem on a ferric cure line in the copper leaching operation at Cyprus Miami Mining Corporation.

The pipes and couplings have to contend with the internal corrosive effect of a cure solution containing sulphuric acid and chlorides and external climatic and environmental extremes including temperatures in excess of 40°C and very strong UV rays.

Another important, though not so spectacular, project was the restoration of a classic park perimeter using PPA571 protection. The almost mile-long classic barred boundary of a UK park in the Midlands has been restored to its former glory.

More than 30 years of exposure to weather and airborne pollutants had taken its toll on the mild steel fencing around Willenhall Memorial Park, not helped by its proximity to the M6 motorway.

Walsall Borough Council opted to refurbish as many of the original 2.7 metre round and flat bar panels as was practicable. These amounted to around 130, while ordering a further 350 sections to be manufactured to the same spike topped style.

The modern touch given to the boundary by Shropshire coating specialists Leyfos Plastics is Plascoat PPA571 corrosion protection to ensure that the restored perimeter fence lasts well into the next millennium.

Black PPA571 has been dip coated to provide a range of key benefits. Plascoat list these as follows: it is a flexible material, it can be applied electrostatically, it offers protection against the natural elements, such as UV rays, low and high temperatures and salt attack, but resists the attention of vandals. Even where damage has been inflicted the option is available for simple on-site repair.

Details available from: Plascoat Systems Ltd. Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 733777; Fax: + 44 (0) 1252 721250; e-mail: sales@plascoat.com; www.plascoat.com