Twiga Fiberglass Pipe Wrap is a thin flexible, uniform felt, composed of glass fibres in an open porous structure, bonded with phenolic binder that is compatible with hot coal-tar enamel. The mat may be of the reinforced or non-reinforced type.

For water, crude oil and gas pipelines, the anti-corrosive protections mostly utilized are hydrocarbon base systems (oil or pit carbon derivates) mixed with mineral fillers and reinforced with Twiga Fibreglass Mat (normally utilized as “INNERWRAP”) and impregnated Twiga Fiberglass Mat (as “OUTERWRAP”)

Coating with Twiga Pipe Wrap ensures a higher mechanical resistance, uniformity of thickness and permanent adhesion to the pipe line walls.

Twiga Pipe Wrap conforms to International standards (AWWA C 203 latest versions / IS 10221 – 1982) for anti-corrosion coatings of pipe works as well as to the technical specifications provided by the major pipeline engineering groups.

Features & Benefits

  • Flexible – Pliable, do not crack (yarn tear)
  • Open porous structure – can be easily impregnated, uniform coating (single homogeneous unit)
  • High tensile strength / breaking, tear strength – Resistant to longitudinal / transverse tension, provides reinforcement, protection from mechanical damage due to strain on pipe during handling – laying, commissioning & operation, withstand pressure due to soil movement, cold bending etc.
  • Chemical Resistant (Inert) – Chemically stable, compatible with anticorrosive chemicals / coal tar and bitumen, resist degradation from corrosion electrolyte, unaffected by weather agents, withstand attack from bacteria, chemicals contained in soil, no mould growth
  • High temperature resistance / tolerance – thermally stable, stable up to 288 0C, can be used in both hot & cold application, unaffected under load in hot bitumen at 288 0C, structural, composition stability
  • Inorganic composition – non biodegradable, does not rot and decay.
  • Hydrophobic – does not absorb moisture, when applied with coal tar, it is impermeable to water
  • Fire properties – Non inflammable (phenolic resin), reduce fire hazards
  • Smooth surface – Uniform fiber distribution / uniformly bonded felt / unilateral spread of fibers, structural/ dimensional stability, no bubbles / wrinkles / no flakes of undispersed chop strands, even thickness while impregnating in coal tar no blister formation / edge break / disintegration of fiber strands, does not get torn / damaged while applying coating.
  • Additional strength added by yarn reinforcement spacing option.
  • U.V.Protection

Application

Twiga Fiberglass INNERWRAP shall be mechanically applied by continuous end feed machine or by a lathe-type machine or by other approved application equipment. Application shall be simultaneous with the first coat of coal tar enamel. The roll of inner wrap shall be under tension sufficient to embed the fibre glass tissue in the enamel before the latter sets or cools. The wrapper shall not be pulled through the hot enamel to the metal surface.

The three methods of application of wrapping materials that can be followed are-

  • (a) Mill wrapping;
  • (b) Site or yard wrapping
  • (c) Line wrapping

The choice between the three methods of application of pipe wrappings shall depend on a detailed assessment of site conditions and the technical aspects, including corrosion engineering and economic factors involved in the construction work. The conditions which decide the selection of wrapping method are:

  • (a) Weather conditions
  • (b) Site conditions
  • (c) Size of pipeline
  • (d) Location of site

Twiga Fiberglass Tissue is saturated with Coal Tar enamel The resultant Twiga Fiberglass Tissue based OUTERWRAP shall be uniform, flexible and of uniform porosity to facilitate the release of hot gases and achieves better finishing. The outer surface of OUTERWRAP shall be lightly dusted with talc, fine sand, or other approved mineral powder sufficient to prevent sticking in the rolls under condition likely to be met at site. The inside surface shall receive minimum dusting, as excessive amount may impair the bond between outer wrap and enamel.

OUTERWRAP shall be mechanically applied in a continuous end feed machine or in a lathe-type machine or by other suitable outerwrap application equipment. The OUTERWRAP shall be applied to, but not buried in, the outer surface immediately following the final coat of enamel.

Handling and storage

Twiga Fiberglass Tissue comes in roll form wrapped on a core and packed in a corrugated box / corrugated sheet and needs to be handled a as per prescribed methods to prevent tissue and pipe core from getting damaged. The boxes should be kept vertically as indicated in the box.