Moulded covers protect undersea pipework

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 23, 2006

Crystic 703PA is a pre-accelerated, DCPD based polyester resin with low viscosity and controlled exotherm characteristics.

The versatility of Scott Baders' Crystic 703PA polyester resin has been further advanced with the latest application involving the production of large moulded covers required for the protection of undersea pipework as part of the Statoil 6104 Acergy project.

Crystic 703PA is a pre-accelerated, DCPD based polyester resin with low viscosity and controlled exotherm characteristics.

It was primarily developed as a vacuum injection resin, but is equally suited to other similar production techniques.

With excellent mechanical properties and impact resistance, the product is ideal for manufacture of large structures.

42t of the resin has been supplied via Scott Bader Scandinavia for the production of 33 pipeline covers.

These have a 70% glass content and represent a combined weight of 140t.

The size of the structures is equally impressive, with the largest cover having dimensions of 14 x 12 x 4m.

An infusion production process has been used to pull resin under vacuum through the reinforcement to fully wet-out the glass fibre layers.

Polyester beams are used to fix the covers to the seabed on each side of the pipework run.

The outer surfaces of the covers are finished with Scott Bader gel/topcoat in a RAL 1004 (yellow) colour.

The smooth moulded outer shape of the covers provide excellent protection to pipework, eliminating snagging points and giving a degree of impact protection.

The yellow top coat provides good identification and visibility in undersea conditions.