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Differences between 3PE (3LPE Coated Pipe) and FBE Epoxy Coating Pipe

Differences between 3PE (3LPE Coated Pipe) and FBE Epoxy Coating Pipe

3LPE (3PE) and FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) are two of the most common epoxy-based corrosion protection options used when steel pipe is specified for buried or submerged service. 3LPE (3PE) coated pipe is a three-layer external coating system—FBE primer + adhesive + polyethylene top layer—built for stronger mechanical protection and a high-performing moisture barrier in aggressive soil or handling conditions. FBE-coated pipe uses fusion bonded epoxy as a thin-film coating that can be applied externally and is also widely used as an internal lining, especially where a thinner epoxy system is acceptable.

Here is the answer briefly:

FBE pipe is coated with fusion bonded epoxy. It can be used for internal and external coating, and is commonly selected for internal lining and as an external epoxy layer where a thinner coating is acceptable.

3LPE (3PE) coated pipe uses a three-layer system: FBE primer + adhesive + polyethylene top layer. It is mainly used for external coating where stronger mechanical protection and moisture barrier performance are required.

     

3LPE vs FBE (Quick Comparison)

Item 3LPE (3PE / 3LPE coated pipe) FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy)
Coating structure 3 layers: FBE + adhesive + PE 1 layer (common) or 2 layers (dual-layer FBE)
Typical use External coating for buried/submerged pipelines Internal lining and external coating (thin epoxy system)
Typical thickness Multi-layer system (often in the mm range overall) 400–600 μm typical for many FBE applications
Mechanical protection Strong (PE top layer improves impact/abrasion resistance) Moderate (epoxy film is hard but can be less forgiving to mechanical damage)
Moisture barrier Excellent Good, but humidity and mechanical damage can be limiting factors
Common selection driver Harsh soil, aggressive environment, higher mechanical risk Internal corrosion control, thin external epoxy requirement, temperature window, project preference

 

3LPE/FBE coated pipe application

3PE/3LPE coated pipe and FBE Epoxy coating/coated steel pipe are widely used in pipeline systems for the transmission of oil, gas, water and other fluids. They have highly resistance to corrosive from chemicals, moisture, harmful environment etc.

In practice, 3lpe coated pipes are most often selected for external corrosion + mechanical protection on buried/onshore or sub-sea lines (soil stress, back-fill abrasion, moisture barrier). FBE is frequently used as an internal lining choice for flow efficiency and internal corrosion protection, or as an external coating where mechanical damage risk is controlled by construction method and additional protection.

What kind of pipes could be coated with 3LPE/3PE or FBE

Almost all kinds of steel pipes can be coated with FBE or 3LPE/3PE, including:

Stainless steel pipe
ASTM A312, ASTM A269 stainless pipe

Carbon steel pipe
API 5L line pipe from Grade B to Grade 80, ASTM A53 pipe (Hot dipped galvanized steel pipe), ASTM A106 pipe, ASTM A252 pipe, ASTM A134 and A135, ASTM A333

Alloy steel pipe
ASTM A335

Nickel Alloy pipes

CRA clad or lined pipe

For RFQs of 3lpe coated pipe, it helps to specify: pipe standard/grade, OD/WT, coating application length (full length or cutbacks), and whether the line is buried, directional drilling, offshore/sub-sea, or above-ground—because those conditions typically drive the coating class, thickness, and inspection scope.

What is FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) coating steel pipe?

FBE coating pipe is a fusion bonded epoxy coated steel pipe. It can be applied as an external or internal coating. The coating is typically applied as a dry powder onto a heated pipe surface, forming a continuous epoxy film with strong adhesion. A common thickness range for many FBE applications is 400–600 μm. Once cured, the FBE film forms a hard surface with good chemical resistance and stable adhesion.

FBE Epoxy coated pipe Features

FBE coating is widely used because it offers:

Good high-temperature performance (commonly specified within approximately -40°C to 85°C, depending on project requirements)
High strength and anti-bending performance of the coating film
Strong adhesion and good integrity against soil stress and wear in many buried service conditions

At the same time, FBE can be more vulnerable where mechanical damage and humidity exposure are severe—this is one reason 3LPE systems are often selected for external protection in harsher environments.

How many types for the FBE Epoxy coated pipe?

FBE coating systems are commonly specified as:

• Single-layer FBE (widely used and cost-effective)

• Dual-layer FBE (often used where better impact resistance and flexibility are required, such as tougher offshore or construction environments)

It developed from 1950s, and industrialization in 1960s. FBE pipe have two kinds: One layer and two layers pipe. FBE Dual layers coated pipe is recommended to applied for the offshore pipelines and the pipelines systems that operated in the tough environments, it provides high performances on the impact resistance and flexibility. Offers suitable protection for the coating from the damage during transportation and construction.

While FBE single layer coated pipe is the generally type for the FBE coated pipe. It offers a rough, non-slip surface for a pipeline that need concrete coating. A special fusion bonded epoxy powder mixed with solid epoxy resin and other adhesive material that helped to adhere to pipe surface.

What is 3LPE Coated pipe?

3LPE coated pipe includes three layers: a first epoxy layer (FBE), a middle adhesive layer, and an outer polyethylene (PE) layer. Compared with a single epoxy film, 3LPE coating improves mechanical protection, electrical resistance, waterproofing, wear resistance, and long-term aging performance in buried service.

For engineering documents, 3lpe coating is typically specified as a layer build-up plus a minimum total coating thickness by pipe OD and coating class. When you purchase 3lpe coated pipe, confirm not only “3LPE” wording but also thickness class and test list—this is usually what determines

3LPE coated pipe include 3 layers:

•  First layer (FBE): fusion bonded epoxy, typically ≥ 100 μm

• Second layer (adhesive): bonds epoxy and PE, typically 170–250 μm

• Third layer (PE): polyethylene outer layer that provides strong moisture barrier and mechanical protection

Because it combines epoxy adhesion with a PE barrier and toughness, 3LPE coated pipe is widely used for buried pipelines transporting water, gas, and oil.

3LPE coating thickness

In practice, 3LPE coating thickness is specified by the project standard and service environment (soil conditions, backfill quality, handling risk, and expected lifetime). The system thickness is defined by the three layers together rather than a single film.

Typical project specifications define:

• Minimum FBE thickness (as the base anti-corrosion layer)

• Adhesive thickness range (to maintain bonding performance)

• PE thickness (to deliver barrier + impact/abrasion resistance)

Cost-wise, 3LPE coating cost is usually influenced by pipe OD, coating thickness class, surface preparation level, inspection scope, and batch quantity—because these drive material usage, line time, and QA workload.

3LPE Layer Function Typical Thickness (Project-Specified) Common Inspection / Acceptance Point
FBE (Epoxy) Primary corrosion protection + adhesion to steel > 100 μm (as specified) DFT / cure control (per project spec)
Adhesive Bonding layer between epoxy and PE 170–250 μm (as specified) Peel adhesion (per project spec)
PE Topcoat Mechanical protection + moisture barrier To meet total thickness class (e.g., ~1.8–3.7 mm total, OD/class dependent) Holiday test / impact / thickness mapping (per project spec)

Note: total 3lpe coating thickness is normally defined by coating class and pipe OD in the project coating standard, so the RFQ should reference the required class and the acceptance test list.

     

3LPE coating process

A standard 3LPE coating process is designed to ensure adhesion, continuity, and consistent thickness control. While exact parameters vary by project specification, the typical workflow includes:

• surface preparation (cleaning and abrasive blasting to the specified cleanliness/roughness)

• Induction heating (bringing the pipe to the target temperature window)

• FBE application (spray epoxy powder, then gel/cure)

• Adhesive layer application (to bond epoxy and PE)

• PE extrusion/wrapping (outer protective layer)

• Cooling and inspection (visual, thickness checks, holiday detection, and repairs if required)

This is why 3LPE is commonly selected for external pipeline protection where handling, transport, backfill, and long-term soil exposure create higher mechanical risk than a thin epoxy film can comfortably tolerate.

   

3LPE coating standard and tests

A 3LPE system is only as reliable as its process control and verification. Most projects define the coating requirement through a coating standard/specification and then confirm compliance through routine tests and inspection records.Common checks for

3LPE coating standard compliance typically include:

• Coating thickness measurement (FBE/adhesive/PE and total thickness per the spec)

• Holiday detection (to confirm coating continuity and locate pinholes/defects)

• Adhesion / peel strength testing (to verify bonding performance between layers)

• Impact resistance testing (to validate mechanical robustness during handling/back-fill)

• Bend / flexibility testing (as required by the project standard)

• Cathodic disbondment testing (often required for buried pipeline coatings)

• Visual inspection + repair records (defect repair method and acceptance results)

For procurement and site acceptance, the most valuable outcome is a clear, consistent inspection pack that ties coating results back to pipe identity and heat/lot traceability.

3PE/3LPE coated pipe features and advantages

3LPE coated pipe is commonly used for external corrosion protection against outside environments, while FBE is often selected for internal coating against fluid-side corrosion (for example, in chemical service or potable water applications where a thin internal epoxy lining is required by the project).

Durable lifetime

3LPE coated steel pipe have good stability and anti-aging performances under the normal work temperature and pressure conditions, consequently its lifetime can prolong above 50 years.

Corrosion resistance

Due to PE elements structure stability is very high, it is resistant to corrosion of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, artificial gas and other chemical subjects, no need secondary anti-corrosion equipment. The chemical of soil does not produce any effects to the pipe.

Flexibility and handling tolerance

3PE/3LPE is a kind of soft and flexible material, it can prolong 5 times length then break. While it is easily to bend and no damage. 3LPE/3PE coating steel pipe can bypass objects and cut the fees of installation.

Good resistance of impact and earthquake

Polyethylene is not fragile under low temperature, there for, it is safe used in the temperature at the range of -60℃~60℃. So it can adapt to going down of pipeline, Work in winter. Due to good impact performances, PE pipeline won’t easily to break.

Excellent wear resistance

Experiments shows that PE pipe wear resistance is 4 times of pipe. especially in area of transporting mud. Compared to varnished pipe, PE coated pipe have better wear resistance.

3PE/3LPE have smooth surface, its manning coefficient is 0.009. Because of smooth internal surface and non-sticking performance, 3PE/3LPE coated steel pipe shows higher ability for transporting, and reduce the loss of pressure and water transporting. Low water permeation characteristic provides improved isolation from sea water compared to the other coating systems and FBE pipe.

Good environment protection performance

3LPE coated steel pipelines in manufacturing process won’t add heavy metal stabilizer, the PE material have no poison and harm, is a kind of green material, and itself can recycled will not cause pollution to  the environment.

Excellent electric resistance, anti-static performances.

These properties make PE pipeline suitable for flammable and explosive conditions.

Safe and reliable connection way

3LPE/3PE coating steel pipe mainly use hot melt and fused connection, keep the interface and pipeline connect as a whole. There is no water and gas leakage.

Light, easily to move, and convenient for construction

3LPE layers weight only account 1/8 for steel pipe, easily to move, bend, welding process is convenient and fast, lower fees for whole project, obvious economic benefits.

Since 3LPE and FBE coating can prolong the lifetime of same steel pipe from several years to decades years, it’s required more than more in recent year pipeline projects.As a result of steel pipe corrosion, the whole world suffers average loss about 3% of global GDP per year, about 2.2 trillion dollars in 2015 according newest data. In which, oil, gas and petroleum industry loss account for 45% about 1 trillion dollars in 2015. According by data, more than 70% oilfield has explored easily to corrupt. For example, The US loss has rise up to 26% of direct economic loss , and China account for 10%.

For specification alignment, 3lpe coating standard and test requirements should be stated in the RFQ/ITP (coating class, total thickness, holiday detection, adhesion/peel, impact, and cutback requirements). For regional projects (including 3lpe coating in uae), the key is to follow the EPC/owner coating class and inspection plan rather than relying on “generic 3LPE” wording.
From a commercial view, 3lpe coating cost is mainly driven by pipe OD/length, coating thickness class, surface preparation level, testing scope, quantity, and delivery schedule—so fixing these inputs upfront is the best way to compare offers on a like-for-like basis.

Octal can provie 3LPE coated pipe or FBE coated pipe with different standard and types, please do not hesitate to contact us for an offer if you have such requirement.

FAQ

Q1: What is the main difference between 3LPE (3PE) coated pipe and FBE coated pipe?
A1: FBE is an epoxy film that can be used for internal or external protection, typically as a thinner coating system. 3LPE (3PE) is a three-layer external coating system (FBE + adhesive + PE) designed to provide stronger moisture barrier performance and mechanical protection for buried or submerged pipelines.

Q2: What is the typical FBE coating thickness for epoxy coated steel pipe?
A2: Many projects specify FBE in the 400–600 μm range, but the final requirement depends on the standard, service conditions, and whether it is internal lining, external coating, or part of a multi-layer system.

Q3: How is 3LPE coating thickness defined and why does it matter?
A3: 3LPE coating thickness is defined by the combined thickness of the FBE layer, adhesive layer, and PE outer layer. Thickness matters because it directly affects corrosion protection at the steel interface, moisture barrier performance, and resistance to impact/abrasion during handling and back-filling.

Q4: What inspection items are commonly included under a 3LPE coating standard?
A4: Typical inspection includes thickness checks by layer, holiday detection for continuity, adhesion/peel strength verification, impact resistance testing, and documentation that links coating results to pipe traceability and repair records where applicable.

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