Stopaq

Profile

Modern offshore-asset maintenance requires advanced corrosion prevention systems in order to prolong service cycles and to ensure reliable and sustainable operation features.
Splash zone and subsea corrosion protection system
Stopaq’s splash zone and subsea corrosion protection system is specially designed to provide industry with an alternative to factory-applied coatings for new construction in remote areas and for the retrofit protection of risers, piles and pipelines whether located inshore, offshore, or subsea. This system not only meets the anti-corrosion needs of industry, rigorous testing demonstrates that its properties far exceed those of current systems.
Originally developed for use as an external coating for pipelines, this system has been effectively extended to new construction and rehabilitation in splash zones and subsea work. Its ease of use, including its cold application, its environmentally-friendly non-toxic nature, and its cost-effectiveness set this system apart from all competitors.
There is no requirement for labour-intensive ancillary materials such as tapes, adhesives or sleeves thereby reducing the possibilities of human error and non-compatibility of system components. It can even be removed and refitted to facilitate subsea inspection at regular intervals through the service lifecycle.
Fully amorphous, viscous-elastic anti corrosion material
Stopaq's splash zone and subsea system features fully amorphous, viscous-elastic anti-corrosion material which is at the cutting edge of corrosion prevention technology. This technology is based on the fact that the polymeric composition of the coating operates on the sufficiency of its intrinsic properties, without the need for external properties that inevitably open the coating to weaknesses.
Polyisobutene is the proven polymeric composition of choice because the polymer contains only hydrogen and oxygen, and only has covalent bonds.
The viscous-elastic composition, which is based on fully amorphous polybutene polymers, cannot cross-link and will remain throughout its life as a single polymer chain. This fact leads to an interesting phenomenon called 'cold flow'.
Cold flow enables the anti-corrosion material, even at low temperatures, to 'flow' over the substrate and fill-in all pores and surface capillaries of the substrate, thereby perfectly insulating it. This flow is present for all types of substrate structures, including PE, PP, and epoxy-coated and de-rusted steel with ST2/3 grades.
Macroscopic properties of polyisobutene-based coatings
The anti-corrosion material remains permanently soft and tacky. It is totally resistant to chemicals and weathering, and it is impermeable to moisture, gas and bacterial attack. These properties are sustainable through a wide temperature range from -45°C to +120°C.
The material exhibits an excellent adhesive strength, which is in the same range as its cohesive strength. If the coating material is removed from the substrate, a portion of the material will always remain as a film on the surface of the pipe substrate. This high adhesive strength ensures that undercreep is impossible. The adhesion begins immediately upon application and without any chemical reaction.
Unmatched ease of application
The surface preparation of the substrate for application of the anti-corrosion material is straightforward and simple. There is no need for primers and only surface cleanliness is required. For above tidal zone applications, the substrate should be dry and cleaned to the extent possible with a wire brush (St 2/3 as approved by Shell Global Solutions). White metal cleaning (Sa 2-1/2) is not necessary.
For underwater applications, Stopaq has developed a special method based on the subsea compound. This compound sticks to underwater substrates and offers corrosion prevention. On top, for mechanical protection, Stopaq offers a water-curing fiberglass urethane cloth wrap, the Outerglass Shield.
Benefits of the Stopaq splash zone and subsea system
Stopaq's new corrosion protection system splash zone and subsea applications provide clients with direct and measurable benefits:

Stronger physical properties provide longer service cycles and a greater return on investment
Less maintenance means reduced costs over time
Self-healing properties mean fewer instances of damage during service
Unsurpassed levels of corrosion resistance
High levels of chemical resistance
High process temperature ranges
Fast and easy application without special equipment and operator skills (even in freezing conditions)
Lower surface preparation and application costs

Contact us for a full demonstration.



View My Stats