Abstract
There are many types of pipeline coatings that have been used on pipelines around the world. Some are no longer used for various reason and new ones are being developed to meet the demands of the changing environments in which pipelines are being used. The following information on field applied coatings is provided from the author’s over 30 years of experience in the pipeline and corrosion control industry which has involved many coating tests, field exposures and evaluations.
Various testing programs have been performed over the years to provide information to the industry about the variety of coating types that have been promoted to the industry. Most of these are standard tests that do not always give the needed performance information for proper protection. The best test is actual field experience. The problem with field testing is that it takes many years and companies (coating companies or end users) are not willing to wait years to get results. Accelerated testing gives limited information, but does help to separate those that will perform in a particular environment. Because a coating passes an accelerated test, does not mean it will perform in the field.
