Viscoelastic technology for corrosion protection in pipelines

During the LatinCORR 2025 event held in Panama, the Inspenet team had the opportunity to talk with Rick Lujano, Territory Manager of Premier Coatings Ltd., who presented a viscoelastic tape that is capturing the attention of the energy and industrial sector for its unique properties that allow for easy application with the ability to self-repair in case of damage.

What is viscoelastic tape and how does it work?

Unlike epoxy or spray-applied coatings, viscoelastic tape works like a mastic that, once applied, acts like an encapsulating liquid, allowing it to adapt to the shape of the metal surface and seal any possible imperfections. As Rick Lujano explained, this property is fundamental to its ability to self-repair, since if the coating suffers a cut or surface damage, the material tends to seal itself thanks to the pressure exerted by a polyethylene tape (P.E. tape) that is installed on top of it.

In addition, the tape does not require an anchor profile or a shot blasting process; mechanical or manual cleaning is all that is required, significantly reducing application time and operating costs. Once in place, the coating remains firm and completely seals the pipe against oxygen and moisture ingress, immediately interrupting the corrosion process.

Practical application and operational advantages

The viscoelastic tape can be applied on exposed pipes, buried or in contact with aggressive environmental conditions. aggressive environmental conditionssuch as coastal areas, thanks to its high versatility of application. Although it requires the surface to be dry for installation, there are complementary solutions within Premier Coatings' portfolio, such as petrolatum tapes, which allow its use even under water.

From an operational point of view, this type of belt does not require specialized machinery, which makes it an ideal solution for remote projects, corrective maintenance or urgent interventions. Furthermore, in field tests and real applications, cases have been documented where they have remained in operation for more than 40 years without failures.

The Premier Coatings and Denso bet

Premier Coatings Ltd, part of the British group Winn & Coales, is a company with more than 40 years developing corrosion protection solutions, specially designed for sectors such as gas, oil, water treatment and industrial metal structures. The company is recognized for the quality of its products and the longevity of its coatings.

Lujano mentioned that this viscoelastic tape was acquired by the group approximately five years ago, and since then it has been essential to expand the company's presence in the corrosion market. However, the tape protection technology is not new to them, the emblematic Denso brand petrolatum tape was developed in 1929, and is still in use today in multiple projects worldwide.

Beyond prevention, a solution that adapts to your needs

In an industry where durability, safety and ease of application are paramount, Premier Coatings' viscoelastic tape is the ideal solution. Premier Coatings represents a clear evolution in corrosion protection. Its liquid-like behavior, self-repair capability and operational efficiency make it a solid alternative to other traditional coatings.

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Source: Inspenet.