The future of composite repair

Pipeline integrity repair is a critical component to the safe and effective operation of pipeline assets, and composite repairs play an ever-increasing role in providing repair options. This article will discuss composite repairs and how design methodologies, experience, and testing continue to fuel more widespread acceptance, additional defect scopes, and continuous improvement of the composite repair implementation process.

New technology

For almost four decades, composite repair technologies have provided valuable alternatives to operating companies in maintaining the integrity of their high-pressure gas and liquid pipeline systems. Early adopters of the technology helped to push the usage of these beneficial materials to where they are today. As with all technology, increased usage drives increased scope of usage, and there have been extensive and comprehensive full-scale testing programmes dedicated to pushing the boundaries and opening new defect repair options. These have been funded jointly by industry and manufacturers, and have yielded successful results, further showcasing the full range of benefits that composite materials can provide. This is valuable as it provides a strong foundation for using composites as a repair material in this manner.

The benefit of this history and background is that we can build a better repair option based on experience and lessons learned. Why settle for the same old technology with no updates, current testing, or product improvements, when you can use the latest in innovation and performance with composite materials? While it might be a unique experience to drive a Ford Model T to a car show and have some fun, you aren’t going to use that for your everyday travel and work needs. I’ll take my F-150 King Ranch for that, thanks. But on the other hand, you also want the ‘latest and greatest’ to be proven, and that’s where the testing, validation, and verification come into play …

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/16012023/the-future-of-composite-repair/