CEOCOR

COMMITTEE ON THE STUDY OF PIPE

CORROSION AND PROTECTION
SECTOR C MATERIALS

CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF METALLIC PIPELINES COATINGS

GUIDELINES

May 2005 Edition

INTRODUCTION
These guidelines deal with coatings (internal and external) for non-alloyed or lowalloyed steel, stainless steel, copper and cast iron pipe coatings, in other words, the
widely used metals for water and gas pipeline systems.
Metal corrosion occurrences can be controlled by using two techniques, which are
generally jointly used: the passive protection and the active protection or cathodic
protection.
The passive protection consists in an electrolytic separation between the metal and
the pipeline environment, through applying appropriate coatings.
The pipeline coating plays an important role in the anticorrosion protection system
and its effectiveness is essential for the piping system durability. Due to the difficulty of
their inspection, mainly for buried or immersed pipelines in deep waters, it is essential
that the use of coatings provides the same durability properties as the one expected
for the piping system (40 years or more).
On buried or immersed, electrically continuous metallic pipelines (welded or
shunted joints), cathodic protection is realized with an appropriate electric current
circulation between an artificial anode and the pipeline, which constitutes the cathode
of the system. When the direction and the applied current intensity assure a sufficient
lowering of the electrochemical potential of the metal, the material is located in the
immunity field at the metal-electrolyte interface, where corrosion phenomena reduce to
industrially negligible values.
Cathodic protection is usually applied on the external surfaces of buried or
immersed non alloyed or low alloyed steel pipelines (welded joints or metallic
connections); in special circumstances, it can also be applied at the internal surfaces
of these pipelines.
The cathodic protection of externally coated and buried stainless steel pipelines is
only applied in particular cases.
On buried cast iron pipes, due to the electrical discontinuity of the joints assembly,
cathodic protection is only exceptionally applied.
This technique no more applies for copper pipelines.
In order to obtain an excellent durability of a pipeline, the selection of the coating,
the application and its control after the application are fundamental. Therefore these
guidelines, prepared by a group of European experts, are to be considered as a useful
supplement to National, European and International standards, and a precious help for
the designers and the end users. Easy to employ, it can be considered as an important
working tool for all who may be interested.

The chapters in the guideline cancel and replace the following former
recommendations:
Chapter 1: Criteria for the selection of steel pipes coatings, April 1992 Ed.
Chapter 2: Criteria for the selection of non- and low alloy steel pipelines
accessories coatings, March1994 Ed.
Chapter 3: Criteria for the selection of pipelines external coatings of stainless steel
tubes and accessories, May 1998 Ed.
Chapter 4: Criteria for the selection of external coatings of copper pipe systems,
April 2001 Ed. and March 2003 Ed.
Chapter 5: Coating selection criteria for cast iron pipes, April 2001 Ed. and March
2003 Ed.
The members of the Working Groups who contributed to the elaboration of this
document are:
M. Arpaia, I
E. Bini, I
D. Copin, F
E. Di Caprio, I
G.P. Guidetti, I
M. Langenfeld, F
J. Mailliard, F
G.C. Mei, I
L. Rigosi, I
M. Romagnoli, I,
G. Rouleau, F
H.E. Wolff, D

(chapter 1)
(chapter 1)
(chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
(chapter 3)
(chapters 1, 2, 4, 5)
(chapter 5)
(chapters 1, 2, 3)
(chapter 4)
(chapter 3)
(chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
(chapters 1, 2, 3)
(chapter 1).

Acknowledgments:
I would like to thank my Working Group's colleagues for their precious help in the
realization of these guidelines and my Sector C colleagues for their revision and
critical comments during plenary meetings, chaired by B. Elzenga (first part of the
document) and by S. Rigal (second part of the document).
Special thanks go to D. Copin, G.P. Guidetti and M. Langenfeld for the final text
revision; D.H. Deacon for the English translation of chapter 1 (a version of this chapter
in Italian is also available); C. Triquet for the German and English translation of
chapter 4; M. Langenfeld for the English and German translation of chapter 5;
G. NOUAIL for the editorial setting and last checking, and up-dating some European
standards or drafts indicated in the edition of March 2003.
The Leader
of Working Group "Coatings"
M. Romagnoli

CONTENTS AND SUBJECT INDEX

OBJECTIVE .................................................................................................................................. 7
METALLIC PIPELINES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION............................................................. 8
CHAPTER 1 - CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF COATINGS FOR NON AND LOW
ALLOY STEEL PIPES................................................................................................................. 11
1.1
SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 11
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.4
1.3.1
1.3.2

1.2

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 11
International standards and draft standards ............................................................... 11
European standards and draft standards ................................................................... 11
National European standards..................................................................................... 12
CEOCOR recommendations and bibliography........................................................... 14

1.3

TYPES OF COATINGS FOR NON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPES ..................... 16
External coatings for underground pipes and those coming out of the ground ........... 16
External coatings for underwater pipes, whether or not in underwater excavation, or
in tidal zone ............................................................................................................... 17
External coatings for pipes in the open ...................................................................... 18
External coatings for overhead pipes, in duct and in tunnel ....................................... 19
External temporary protection for pipes ..................................................................... 20
External coatings for hot or waste water pipes when passing through walls............... 20
Internal coatings for water pipes ................................................................................ 21
Internal anti-friction coating for gas pipes................................................................... 21
Internal coatings for vertical gas and oil pipes............................................................ 21
Internal coatings for hot and waste water pipes in buildings....................................... 22

1.3.3
1.3.4
1.3.5
1.3.6
1.3.7
1.3.8
1.3.9
1.3.10

1.4
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF COATINGS FOR NON AND LOW
ALLOY STEEL PIPES............................................................................................................. 23
1.4.1
External coatings for underground, underwater, overhead pipes ............................... 23
1.4.1.1
Mechanical characteristics ........................................................................ 23
1.4.1.2
Physico-chemical characteristics............................................................... 23
1.4.1.3
Thermal characteristics ............................................................................. 27
1.4.2
Internal coatings for water pipes ................................................................................ 28
1.4.2.1
Mechanical characteristics ........................................................................ 28
1.4.2.2
Protection against corrosion ...................................................................... 29
1.4.2.3
Physico-chemical characteristics of thermosetting resins .......................... 29
1.4.2.4
Thermal characteristics ............................................................................. 29
1.5.1

1.5.2

1.5

COATINGS OF WELDED JOINTS FOR NON OR LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPES ...... 30
External coatings of welded joints for underground, underwater pipelines ................. 30
1.5.1.1
Anti-corrosive tapes................................................................................... 30
1.5.1.2
Shrink materials ........................................................................................ 30
1.5.1.3
Filling-in products ...................................................................................... 31
Internal coatings of joints ........................................................................................... 31

1.6
Summary table of main types of external coatings for non and low alloy steel
underground or underwater pipelines ...................................................................................... 32
1.7
Summary table of main types of internal coatings for non and low alloy steel
pipelines ....................................................................................................................................

33

CHAPTER 2 - CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF COATINGS FOR ACCESSORIES ON

NON AND LOW ALLOY STEEL PIPELINES............................................................................... 34
2.1
SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 34
2.2

TYPES OF ACCESSORIES .................................................................................... 34

2.3
TYPES OF COATINGS FOR ACCESSORIES ON NON ALLOY AND LOW
ALLOY STEEL PIPELINES ..................................................................................................... 34
2.3.1
Coatings for fittings on non and low alloy steel pipelines............................................ 34
2.3.1.1
External coatings for underground fittings and those coming out of the
ground
.................................................................................................................. 35
2.3.1.2
External coatings for underwater fittings, whether or not in underwater
excavation, or in tidal zone .............................................................................................. 36
2.3.1.3
External coatings for fittings in the open .................................................... 37
2.3.1.4
External coatings for overhead fittings, in duct and in tunnel ..................... 38
2.3.1.5
External temporary protection for fittings ................................................... 39
2.3.1.6
External coatings for fittings on hot water or waste water when passing
through walls .................................................................................................................. 39
2.3.1.7
Internal coatings for fittings on water pipelines .......................................... 40
2.3.1.8
Anti-friction internal coatings for fittings on gas pipelines........................... 40
2.3.1.9
Internal coatings for fittings on vertical gas and oil pipelines...................... 40
2.3.1.10 Internal coatings for fittings on hot water or waste water pipelines in
buildings
.................................................................................................................. 41
2.3.2

Coatings for taps on non and low alloy steel pipelines ............................................... 42
2.3.2.1
External coatings for underground taps..................................................... 42
2.3.2.2
External coatings for taps in the open ....................................................... 42
2.3.2.3
Internal coatings for taps ........................................................................... 43

2.3.3

Coatings for regulation instruments on non and low alloy steel pipelines ................... 43
2.3.3.1
External coatings for regulation instruments.............................................. 43
2.3.3.2
Internal coatings for regulation instruments ............................................... 43

2.3.4

Protection for mechanical joints on non and low alloy steel pipelines......................... 44
2.3.4.1
Temporary protection or primer for flanges and opposite-flanges.............. 44
2.3.4.2
External coatings for bolts and nuts........................................................... 44

CHAPTER 3 - CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF EXTERNAL COATINGS ON

STAINLESS STEEL PIPELINES................................................................................................. 45
3.1
SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 45
3.2.1
3.2.2

3.2

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 45
European standard .................................................................................................... 45
CEOCOR bibliography............................................................................................... 45

3.3

STAINLESS STELL GRADES ................................................................................. 46

3.4
EXTERNAL COATINGS APPLICATION ON STAINLESS STEEL PIPES AND
ACCESSORIES ...................................................................................................................... 46
3.5.1
3.5.2

3.5

TYPES OF COATINGS FOR STAINLESS STEEL PIPES ....................................... 47

External coatings for underground pipes and those coming out of the ground ........... 47
External coatings for underwater pipes, whether or not in underwater excavation, or
in tidal zone ............................................................................................................... 47

3.6
TYPES OF EXTERNAL COATINGS FOR ACCESSORIES ON STAINLESS
STEEL PIPELINES ................................................................................................................. 48
3.6.1
External coatings for taps .......................................................................................... 48
3.6.2
External coatings for underground taps and those coming out of the ground, for
underwater taps, whether or not in underwater excavation, or in tidal zone ............... 48
3.7
EXTERNAL COATINGS FOR WELDED JOINTS OF UNDERGROUND OR
UNDERWATER STAINLESS STEEL PIPELINES................................................................... 48
CHAPTER 4 - CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF EXTERNAL COATINGS FOR COPPER
PIPELINES ................................................................................................................................. 49
4.1
SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 49
4.2.1
4.2.2

4.2

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 49
International and European standards and draft standards........................................ 49
CEOCOR bibliography............................................................................................... 49

4.3

COPPER PIPELINES DESIGN AND SERVICE....................................................... 50

4.4

TYPES OF EXTERNAL COATINGS FOR COPPER PIPES AND FITTINGS........... 50

4.5

EXTERNAL COATINGS OF WELDED JOINTS FOR COPPER PIPELINES ........... 51

4.6
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS FOR EXTERNAL COATINGS OF
COPPER PIPELINES.............................................................................................................. 52
CHAPTER 5 - CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF CAST IRON PIPELINES COATINGS ...... 54
5.1
SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 54
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3

5.2

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................ 54
Standards and draft standards, CEOCOR recommendations .................................... 54
Regulatory documents ............................................................................................... 55
Bibliography............................................................................................................... 56

5.3

TYPES OF COATINGS FOR CAST IRON PIPELINES............................................ 57

External coatings for underground, underwater or aboveground pipes ...................... 59
Internal coatings of pipes ........................................................................................... 59
Coatings for fittings and accessories.......................................................................... 59

5.4
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS FOR STANDARD COATING OF CAST IRON
PIPELINES .................................................................................................................................
5.4.1
External zinc coating.................................................................................................. 61
5.4.2
Internal cement mortar lining...................................................................................... 61
5.5.1
5.5.2
5.6.1
5.6.2

5.5

COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT COATING TYPES ................................... 62

Comparison of external coatings for buried cast iron pipes ........................................ 63
Comparison of internal coatings for cast iron pipes.................................................... 64

5.6

ANNEXES ............................................................................................................... 65
Protection mechanism of the external zinc coating .................................................... 65
Protection mechanism of the internal cement mortar lining ........................................ 67

61

OBJECTIVE
This guideline is intended for an usage by metallic pipelines users, designers or piping
operators, to allow the selection of the correct coatings (type of use, cost, ease of
application, ease of use) for pipes, fittings and accessories to afford protection against
mechanical and/or corrosive action :
from external sources (soil, atmosphere, water..)
from the transported fluid (water, gas).
METALLIC PIPELINES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
In order to obtain the expected durability it is necessary to work out previously,
while designing and realizing the work, the most suitable precaution against metallic
pipelines corrosion.
The main factors to consider as regards the coatings follow.
External coating
The external coating must be chosen in the light of the hereafter reported factors:
characteristics of the pipes;
geographical and physical location;
environment of the pipe;
accessibility of the structure;
proximity to other structures;
operating temperature;
ambient temperature and mechanical stresses during the application of
the coating, transport, storage, installation and hydraulic testing;
durability of the structure and cost of maintenance;
any system of active protection;
economic conditions.
The following specific factors are to be considered:
Underground pipes:
nature of the ground: mechanical, physico-chemical and biological
characteristics;
mechanical stresses transmitted by the ground: dynamic and static loads
and stresses from backfilling, penetration of roots;
possible formation of electrochemical cells, presence of stray currents
from d.c. or traction current installation, proximity of cathodic protection
installation or cathodically protected structure, proximity of HV power
transmission lines;
Underwater pipes, whether or not in underwater excavation:
type of water: fresh, salt;
mechanical stresses: shallow or at great depth, special laying condition or
particular situation;

Overhead pipes:
type of atmosphere: rural, mountainous, urban, marine, industrial;
situation: overhead, in gallery, in tunnel, ventilated or not, humid
atmosphere or not, etc.;
mechanical stresses during installation;
Pipes coming out of the ground, or within the tidal range:
nature of the ground, water and atmosphere;
mechanical stresses;
Hot water or waste water pipes, when passing through walls:
type of wall construction and others additional materials.
The table next page shows a summary of the stresses and test methods concerning
the behaviour of the coating for underground pipes.
Internal coating
The coating must be chosen in relation to:
the type of fluid to be carried: water, gas, oil, etc.;
the characteristics of the fluid: chemical, physical, bacteriological
composition;
operating temperature and pressure;
operating mode: temporary working or not, partially filled pipes or not, etc.
As regards the mentioned fluids, account must be taken above all of:
water: tendency or not to form a protective metal oxide-calcium deposit;
gas: dehydration-, desulphurization-, etc, treatments: presence of residual
water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur-containing
components and solid impurities;
oil: presence or not of salt water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, etc.

Summary table of the stresses and tests

concerning the behaviour of the coating for underground pipes
Transport,
storage
and handling

Installation

Hydrostatic
tests

Impacts
(handling)
Stresses
involved

Creep and
penetration
Friction

Bending
Shocks
(backfilling)

Deformation
of the pipe

Operation

Stresses
from ambient
environment
Physico-chemical

- nature of the
environment
- chemical pollution
- etc

Biological

- micro-organisms
- etc

Mechanical

Climatic
alteration

- soils stresses
- etc

Presence of
cathodic
protection

- Water
migration
- Electro
endosmosis
- Detachment

Thermal

- operating
temperatures
- etc

Impacts
strength
Abrasion
resistance
Characteristics
required

Resistance to
penetration
under load
Chemical
stability of
the coating

Flexibility

Flexibility

Resistance
to
elongation

Impacts
strength

Surface
adhesion
Crack
resistance

Chemical
composition of
the coating
Porosity,
permeability
Biological
stability
Adhesion to the
steel, cohesion
Cracking
behaviour
Resistance
to elongation
Thermal stability

Adherence to
the steel
Chemical
resistance to
alkalis
Low
permeability
to ionic
substances

Behaviour in
extreme
temperatures and
cycles

Note: Stresses experienced by a coating and their transposition into typical test methods to evaluate the
behaviour of the coating.

10