Views: 3 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-26 Origin: Site
In modern pipeline construction, the anti-corrosion performance of steel pipes is crucial to the safety and service life of the project. Among the many types of anti-corrosion coatings, 3PE coatings and FBE coatings are the two most common and most valued options. Although they are both advanced coating systems designed to protect steel pipes from corrosion, there are obvious differences in structure, performance and application scenarios. So, what is the difference between 3PE and FBE coated steel pipes? What applications are they suitable for? Next, let's make an in-depth comparison and analysis. Contact US
FBE Coated Pipe
3PE Coated Pipe
Stainless steel pipes
ASTM A312, ASTM A269 stainless steel pipes
Carbon steel from Grade B to Grade 80 API 5L line pipes
ASTM A53 pipes
ASTM A106 pipes
ASTM A252 pipes
ASTM A134 and A135
ASTM A333
Alloy steel pipes
ASTM A335
Nickel alloy pipes
CRA composite pipes or lined pipes
3PE coating is a three-layer composite anti-corrosion coating that combines the excellent adhesion of epoxy powder coating, the bonding properties of adhesives, and the mechanical protection properties of polyethylene (PE). 3PE anti-corrosion steel pipe base materials include seamless steel pipes, spiral steel pipes, and straight seam steel pipes. The three-layer polyethylene (3PE) anti-corrosion coating has been widely used in the oil pipeline industry for its good corrosion resistance, water vapor permeability resistance, and mechanical properties.
1. Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE):
Sprayed directly on the pre-treated steel pipe surface, providing excellent adhesion and chemical corrosion protection.
The thickness is usually 100-200 microns (μm).
2. Adhesive:
Usually a copolymer adhesive used to firmly bond the inner layer of FBE to the outer layer of polyethylene.
The thickness is usually 170-250 microns (μm).
3. Polyethylene (Polyethylene - PE):
The outermost layer provides excellent mechanical protection, including impact resistance, abrasion resistance, UV resistance and cathodic disbonding resistance.
The thickness is usually 1.8-3.7 millimeters (mm), depending on the pipe diameter and application requirements.
Corrosion resistance: Combining the chemical stability of epoxy and the physical barrier of polyethylene, it can resist a variety of corrosive media such as soil, water, electrolytes, etc., and is suitable for complex environments.
Mechanical strength: The outer layer of polyethylene gives high impact resistance, wear resistance and scratch resistance, suitable for high stress scenarios such as burial and crossing.
Weather resistance: The polyethylene layer is resistant to UV aging and can be used in open-air or marine engineering, with a service life of more than 50 years.
Temperature resistance range: Conventional 3PE coating is - 30℃~+70℃, and the modified product can withstand high temperatures of + 110℃.
FBE coating, full name "fused bonded epoxy powder anti-corrosion coating", uses a single epoxy resin powder to form a dense anti-corrosion layer on the surface of the steel pipe by thermal fusion. It is applied on the heated surface of the pipe in the form of dry powder with a thickness of 400-600 microns. Once FBE is applied to the pipe surface, the FBE film provides a very hard surface and has good adhesion to the pipe surface. The FBE layer is uniform and has good resistance to chemical reactions. Therefore, it is widely used in water conservancy, petrochemical and other fields.
1. Single-layer FBE Coated Pipe
Structure: Consists of a single layer of Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE). Commonly used for basic anti-corrosion requirements, especially in environments where mechanical stress is low.
2. Dual-layer FBE Coated Pipe
Structure: Consists of two FBE layers:Designed for pipelines that operate in harsher environments where higher mechanical protection and abrasion resistance are required.
Base Layer: Provides strong adhesion and corrosion resistance.
Top Layer: Provides enhanced abrasion resistance, impact resistance, and protection from soil stress.
Strong adhesion: FBE is chemically bonded to the steel surface, and the adhesion is very strong.
Excellent chemical corrosion resistance: Epoxy resin has good resistance to a variety of chemical media.
Good wear resistance: The surface hardness is high and has good wear resistance.
Relatively simple construction: Single-layer coating, the process flow is relatively simplified.
Low cost: Compared with 3PE coating, FBE's material and construction costs are usually lower.
Good resistance to cathodic stripping.
3PE Coating: The 3PE coating forms a composite protection system through the three-layer structure of "epoxy powder + binder + polyethylene": the three-layer structure synergistically blocks the corrosion path, which is suitable for scenes such as buried long-distance pipelines that need to resist complex environmental erosion. Its weather resistance can support long-term protection for more than 50 years.
FBE Coating: The FBE coating is tightly attached to the surface of the steel pipe with a single layer structure of molten epoxy powder, relying on molecular-level chemical bonds to combine with the metal to form a seamless and dense protective layer. It has outstanding corrosion resistance to chemical media such as acids, alkalis, and salts, and performs well in chemical media transportation or indoor pipelines.
3PE Coating: The temperature resistance of 3PE coatings is determined by the coordination of each layer of materials: the inner layer of epoxy powder can withstand temperatures from -30℃ to +100℃, and the long-term use temperature of the outer layer of high-density polyethylene (PE) is usually -30℃ to +70℃, so the temperature resistance range of standard 3PE coatings is generally -30℃~+70℃.
FBE Coating: FBE coating (molten epoxy powder) has better high temperature tolerance due to the molecular structure of epoxy resin, and performs stably in medium and high temperature scenarios such as steam pipelines and hot oil transportation. In addition, FBE coatings can still maintain good adhesion and anti-embrittlement ability in low temperature environments, and can adapt to severe cold areas below -40℃, but it should be noted that its antioxidant performance at high temperatures needs to be evaluated in combination with specific working conditions.
3PE Coating: The impact resistance of 3PE coated pipe is significantly better than that of FBE coated pipe. As a three-layer composite structure, the outermost layer of polyethylene (PE) of 3PE coating provides excellent mechanical protection. This thick layer of PE has high toughness and elasticity, which can effectively absorb and disperse external impact force, thereby significantly reducing the risk of coating damage caused by soil stress or external collision during transportation, construction and burial of steel pipes.
FBE Coating: FBE coating is a single layer of sintered epoxy powder. Although it is very firmly bonded to the surface of the steel pipe and has good hardness and wear resistance, it is relatively thin and lacks the elasticity and toughness of polyethylene. Therefore, FBE coating is more prone to local damage or peeling when facing the impact of sharp objects or large mechanical stress.
When considering the cost of 3PE and FBE coated steel pipes, it is usually necessary to weigh the initial investment against the long-term benefits. FBE coatings are generally lower in initial cost than 3PE coatings due to their single-layer structure and relatively simplified application process. However, although the initial investment of 3PE coatings is higher, their three-layer composite structure provides excellent mechanical protection and a longer design life. Therefore, in high-value, high-risk, long-distance transmission pipelines such as oil and natural gas, 3PE coatings are still the preferred solution despite the larger initial investment.
In general, FBE coatings are known for their excellent adhesion and chemical corrosion resistance, but their mechanical protection is relatively weak, and they are usually used in scenarios with low risk of mechanical damage or for inner wall corrosion protection. 3PE coatings, on the other hand, provide excellent comprehensive performance through the combination of FBE, adhesives, and polyethylene, especially in terms of mechanical protection and environmental adaptability, and are the first choice for complex and critical pipeline projects. The choice of coating depends on the specific project requirements, environmental conditions, and economic budget.
Whether it is an extremely corrosive environment or a conventional pipeline construction, Shanghai Zhucheng Pipe Fittings Manufacturing Co., Ltd.can provide you with a complete anti-corrosion coating solution. We specialize in the production and supply of 3PE coated steel pipes and FBE coated steel pipes. Our products are designed and manufactured in strict accordance with domestic and international standards, ensuring a safe, durable and economical anti-corrosion solution for your project.
