FBE against 3LPE

Having had experience in both, with the Concrete Anti-Buoyancy Coating applied months after the fact, I personally would prefer FBE made by any of the Manufacturers. Personal preference only, as I have seen a few de-lamination failures in 3LPE, giving me concern about the continued integrity of the ABC. I may be off base, but this is a topic of interest and I want to be in on the thread. FBE probably should be tarped to alleviate any UV damage, even if it is promoted as UV stabilized. 30 mils of FBE is quite heavy, is it necessary?

There are forums, and there are topic-specific forums... This particular topic (preferences) has been discussed several times on the NACE Coatings network. If I recall correctly, the preference is for FBE (between 17-22 mils for most applications), due to those nasty 3LPE disbondment problems, combined with the shielding effect it exhibits on CP current. As one peer suggested: to prove it to yourself which is better, set-up this simple test. Put a joint of FBE pipe alongside a joint of 3LPE coated pipe, and see which one you can strip the fastest. <grin> I've done a minimal amount of FBE-buffing, and I can tell you it ain't no fun! Then, too, I got a photo-tour of a plant applying FBE, and I can assure you that the QA in that process is simply extraordinaire... No wonder it's so doggone tough!

Gotta chuckle about the stripping of FBE. I am SSPC certified, but do and have done many miles of FBE in coating mills around the US to NACE Standards.. FBE needs to be burnt off and rerun through a Wheelabrator a couple of times before re-coating starts. In the old days the burn off took place at night , but with new pollution controls it can be done during normal working hours. Trying to grind or chip it off is a thankless task. Ever do an ARO coating?? Almost practical to scrap the pipe. Oh well, my faith is still in FBE as you state

Don't know how I missed (an email) notice of your response, here ... [just seeing it now, on the 17th!]. I'm still waiting to see my "slide-show" photos of the FBE plant tour turn-up in a NACE classroom ... I 'donated' a copy to one of the instructors (having done the CIP I, II, III, and Marine Coatings classes).

One of the NACE (CP) classes I took was at Columbia Gas (outside Pittsburg)... must be pretty nearby, yes...? And, by-the-way, our FBE removal techniques are always performed underwater(!)