FBE
FBE turns up in 2 fields: corrosion, powder coating. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
FBE in corrosion
Fusion-bonded epoxy: a powder coating fused onto heated pipe, the standard external line pipe coating.
Fusion-bonded epoxy: a thermoset epoxy powder sprayed electrostatically onto blasted pipe heated to roughly 230 to 245 C, where it melts, flows and cures within seconds to a tough film, typically 12 to 16 mils (300 to 400 microns). FBE bonds strongly, resists cathodic disbondment and does not shield CP current if it fails. It is also the first layer of three-layer polyethylene and polypropylene systems, and dual-layer versions add an abrasion-resistant overcoat for boring.
"Line pipe comes FBE from the mill, the field joints get two-part epoxy and the bores get dual-layer."
FBE in powder coating
Fusion-bonded epoxy, a fast-curing epoxy powder applied to preheated pipe, rebar and valves for corrosion protection.
Fusion-bonded epoxy is sprayed onto steel already heated to around 450 to 480 F, where it melts, gels within seconds and cures with the part's own heat. Films are thick, often 10 to 25 mils, and are checked with a high-voltage holiday detector. FBE is the workhorse external coating for oil and gas pipelines and the green coating on epoxy-coated rebar.
"Joint coaters are short on FBE, so the field welds sit bare until the next truck shows."