Steel pipelines are commonly used in the water industry for water distribution. They are also used in treatment plants and storage tanks. But to protect their structural integrity which can be affected by abrasion and corrosion, there are many coatings and linings that can be used.
You can visit steelmains.com to understand the benefits of steel for water pipelines. You can also learn about some of the coatings they use. One of the common coatings that are used for steel pipelines is cement mortar lining. This layer is applied to the inside of the pipe and this will protect the pipe against abrasion and corrosion. To apply this cement mortar layer, the inside of the pipe will be cleaned. And after the application, the lining will be cured at a high temperature. The layer tends to be about 10mm to 15mm thick. This is popular because of its durability and it can provide sufficient protection for corrosion. The layer creates a smooth surface allowing the water to flow without having to fight against a lot of friction. And this will reduce energy loss as well. But it can take a long time to apply the lining. You also need to be very careful in preparing the pipe for this.
Calcium aluminate cement
Is used as a lining for steel pipelines and this is a combination of gypsum, alumina and calcium. They are blended in a kiln. You can apply this lining by troweling it into the pipe or spraying the inside of the pipe. This is a mixture that will set quickly and afterwards it will create a hard surface that will provide protection against abrasion and corrosion. This is an easy to apply lining. But this tends to be an expensive coating option. You will also come across Sintapipe which is made from a mixture of ceramic and epoxy. This mixture will be sprayed inside the pipe using high pressure and this ensures an even coating. This lining will set quickly and it is very easy to apply as well. One of the reasons that Sintapipe is popular is because it has a low coefficient of friction. Because of this, energy loss is reduced and you can ensure an improved flow of water. This tends to be more expensive than other linings.
You can also apply coatings to the outside of the pipe.
One such coating is the bitumen seal coat which is made of bitumen and sand mainly. You can apply this coating to the pipe surface using a brush or a spray. Once it dries, it will create a hard protective layer that protects the steel pipe from corrosion. This is very easy to apply especially as you are doing this for the outside and it is an inexpensive coating. But durability of bitumen seal coat is less compared to other coatings so you will need to maintain it properly and repair it often. You will need to consider several factors such as budget, water temperature and water quality when selecting which coating or lining is best for your application.
