Single Layer 3M Scotchkote Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coatings and Dual Layer 3M Scotchkote Abrasion

Resistant Overcoats (ARO)

Field Joint Application Guide for Single Layer 3M

Scotchkote Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coatings

and Dual Layer 3M Scotchkote Abrasion Resistant
Overcoats (ARO)
Manufactures Qualified Application Procedure (MQAP) per CSA Z245.30
The following products described in this document are qualified to meet FC1& FC3 Coating systems as described in
CSA Z245.30; 3M Scotchkote Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Coating 6233P and 3M Scotchkote Abrasion Resistant Overcoat
(ARO) 6352 and 6352HF. This MQAP is applicable to product manufactured after 1/1/2015.

General
This specification covers the requirements for the field application of 3M Scotchkote Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Coating
6233, 6233P, 226N, 226N+ and 3M Scotchkote Abrasion Resistant Overcoat (ARO) 6352, 6352HF to welded joints
on line pipe. The work includes the furnishing of all labor, materials, tools and equipment, and the performance of
all operations and incidentals necessary for coating of welded pipe joints. Coating materials shall be handled, stored,
and applied in accordance with the manufacturers specifications, or as directed by an authorized representative of the
coating manufacturer.
All references to SSPC shall be interpreted as Steel Structures Painting Council. All references to NACE shall be
interpreted as National Association of Corrosion Engineers. All references to CSA shall be interpreted as Canadian
Standards Association.

Handling and Safety Precautions

Read all Health Hazard, Precautionary, and First Aid statements found in the Safety Data Sheet and product label
prior to handling or use.

RETAIN THESE INSTRUCTION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

August 2016
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Single Layer 3M Scotchkote Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coatings and Dual Layer 3M Scotchkote Abrasion
Resistant Overcoats (ARO)
Tools and Consumables
The list of tools and consumable items is general guidance. The project specification should be used to determine exact needs for each application.
1.

Heating Source Induction coil and required infrastructure

2.

Compressed Air Source must be clean and dry

3.

Required testing and inspection equipment

4.

Abrasives capable of creating the required surface profile

5.

Abrasive blasting equipment;

6.

Powder handling and application

a. Fluidized powder bed

b. Powder spray equipment

Approved Solvents and Cleaning Agents

Non oily solvents; Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Xylene, Ethanol, Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
Other solvents may be used as agreed upon by the pipeline owner or their specific body.

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Single Layer 3M Scotchkote Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coatings and Dual Layer 3M Scotchkote Abrasion
Resistant Overcoats (ARO)

1.0 Coating Thickness Range

Unless otherwise defined by the owners specification, the following thickness ranges are suggested with the approval of the
specifying organization.

Single layer coating (FBE) 12-50 mils (305 m-1270 m); typical nominal thickness is 16 mils (406 m).

Dual layer coating (FBE and ARO) 12-20 mils (305 m-508 m) of FBE and 15-40 mils (381 m-1016 m) of ARO;
typical, nominal thickness of the system is 30 mils (762 m).

Note: *Coating thickness may vary depending on customer specification requirements. Thicker coatings will exhibit less
flexibility. Care should be taken to validate cure.

2.0 Surface Preparation

Unless otherwise defined by the owners specification, the following surface preparation is suggested with the approval of the
specifying organization.

Prior to blast cleaning, the weld zone shall be inspected and pre-cleaned according to SSPC-SP1 to remove mud,
oil, grease and loosely adhering deposits. Visible oil and grease spots shall be removed by solvent wiping. Only
approved safety solvents which do not leave a residue shall be used.

The exposed metal in the weld area shall be abrasive blast-cleaned to a minimum of NACE No. 2/SSPC-SP10 IS0
8501:1, Grade SA 2 1/2 near-white finish. The adjacent fusion bonded coating shall be brush blasted to clean and
roughen the coating surface for a distance of 2 in (5 cm) back from the edge of the cut-back. Near- white finish
is interpreted to mean that all metal surfaces shall be grit blasted to remove all dirt, rust, corrosion products,
oxides, paint and other foreign matter. Very light shadows, very slight streaks or slight discolorations shall be
acceptable; however, at least 95% of the surface shall have the uniform gray appearance of a white-metal blast-
cleaned surface. Height of anchor pattern profile shall not be less than 1.5 mils (38 m) no more than 4.0 mils
(101 m). Standards for comparison shall be made available by the contractor.
Prior to coating, the cleaned weld zone shall be inspected to ensure that all cleaning steps have been adequately
performed. Blast cleaned pipe surfaces shall be protected from conditions of high humidity, rainfall, or surface
moisture. The pipe surface shall not be allowed to flash rust before coating.

3.0 Application of the Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE)

When ambient conditions include precipitation, high winds, or low temperatures precautions should be taken
to protect the coating during application and in some instances after application. Tents or portable units should
be used to shield the coating from precipitation during application. In the case of high winds or low temperatures
it maybe necessary to shield the pipe from rapid cooling conditions. This includes capping pipe ends and using
portables to block wind. In extreme conditions a second post heat cycle may be needed to fully cure the applied
coating. This should be evaluated on a case by case basis.

The weld zone shall be heated to 463F (239C) while not exceeding 500F (260C) using an induction heating
coil of sufficient size, width and power to provide the required heat in the weld zone and 2 in (5cm) back over
the FBE coating or as per line owners specification. Due to varied emissivity; optical/IR pyrometers should not be
used to determine preheat on blasted surfaces.

** During the preheating process, where blistering of the existing FBE coating occurs, an incremental heating
process may be used to assist with moisture removal. For further details please contact the coating manufacturer.

Immediately after heating and while the weld zone temperature is between 425F (218C) and 490F (254C), the
weld shall be coated with Scotchkote coating at the specified thickness using powder spray equipment. Apply
coating as rapidly as possible to prevent premature cool down of the heated zone. The weld joint coating shall be
applied over the full width of the pipe joint and overlap the plant-applied coating no less than 2 in (5cm) or per the
pipelines owners specification.

The joint coating shall cure from the residual heat remaining in the heat zone or a secondary heating cycle as
conditions require. No quenching or force cooling shall be allowed, and the hot zone shall be protected from
adverse weather conditions.

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Single Layer 3M Scotchkote Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) Coatings and Dual Layer 3M Scotchkote Abrasion
Resistant Overcoats (ARO)

4.0 Application of the Abrasion Resistant Overcoat (ARO)

The Scotchkote ARO coating application occurs immediately following the application of the Scotchkote FBE coating.
The ARO coating application must occur prior to the curing of the base coating. The ARO coating application is
initiated while the surface temperature of the FBE is between 365F (185C) - 485F (251C). This temperature can be
measured using IR pyrometers with the emissivity set to 0.95. Apply the ARO coating as rapidly as possible to avoid
loss of thermal energy in the heated zone. The weld joint coating shall be applied over the full width of the pipe joint
and overlap the plant- applied coating no less than 2 in (5cm) or as defined in the pipeline owners specification.
The joint coating shall cure from the residual heat remaining in the heat zone or a secondary heating cycle as conditions
require. No quenching or force cooling shall be allowed, and the hot zone shall be protected from adverse weather
conditions.

5.0 Inspection
Unless otherwise defined by the owners specification, the following inspection is suggested with the approval of the
specifying organization.
Upon completion of the coating operation, but prior to storage, the coating shall be inspected for continuity in
accordance with NACE Standard SP 0188 or CSA Z245.30. The search electrode shall be steel spring or
conductive rubber.

The thickness of the coating shall be checked with calibrated magnetic thickness gauge.

6.0 Compatible Coatings

Compatible coatings; All 3M Scotchkote Pipeline Coating. Other coatings maybe compatible. Please check with your
3M representative for more information.

7.0 Coating Curing

Refer to specific product technical data sheets for coating curing schedule.

*Cure conditions and heating cycles should be periodically validated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
During periods of extreme cold or wind it may be required to post cure the coating(s) with the introduction of a second
heating cycle. The need for this should be determined through evaluation of DSC testing results.

8.0 Repair Method

Unless otherwise defined by the owners specification, the following repair materials are suggested with the approval of
the specifying organization.
Repair defects using suitable 3M Scotchkote two-part epoxy or 3M Scotchkote Hot Melt Patch Compound 226P patch
stick.

9.0 Backfill

Coating can be backfilled once the pipe temperature reaches ambient temperature conditions.

10.0 Storage

1.

Powder boxes shall be stored in a cool dry place with the bags closed and tied.

2.

The powder boxes shall be stored at temperatures less than 80 Fahrenheit (27 Celsius). If powder is stored at
temperatures below freezing the material shall be allowed to stabilize at a temperature above freezing prior to use.

3.

Care should be taken to avoid contamination.

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3M and Scotchkote are trademarks of 3M Company.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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expressly agreed upon, in writing, by an authorized officer of 3M.
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3
Electrical Markets Division
6801 River Place Blvd.
Austin, TX 78726-9000
800.245.3573
Fax 800.245.0329
www.3M.com/electrical

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78-8141-7635-6 Rev C