Copon solvent-free epoxy linings are not new to the world market and have been applied in the UK for over 40 years. During this period of time, the company has seen a shift from cement mortar linings to solvent-free epoxy coatings on a global scale. This raises some interesting questions: why has the market moved away from the use of cement mortar? Why use solvent-free epoxy coatings?

When cement mortar linings were introduced into the water industry in the 1920s, they were regarded as the cutting edge of technology and were widely adopted throughout both the drinking water and waste water industries. However, in the early 1950s, new resins were developed which clearly had potential for use on both the internal and external surfaces of drinking water pipelines. Initially, the new technology was used in oil and gas pipelines but from the early 1960s onwards, epoxy resins were introduced into the water market and were widely accepted as a superior alternative to traditional cement mortar linings.

Copon solvent-free epoxy linings offer many advantages to the pipe coater, construction contractor and operator, including that they can be applied to a minimum dry film thickness of 400 microns, the coating has a minimal effect on the overall weight of the pipe when compared to cement mortar linings, the smooth finish of the cured coating enhances the flow of water through the pipe, reducing pumping costs and energy consumption, and that an epoxy coating will not support bacteria and fungal growth.

For drinking water authorities, the main points of contention on any new coating are the effect on drinking water quality and the design life of a factory-applied epoxy coating. Extensive research has been carried out in the UK and the USA regarding the effects of epoxy coatings on drinking water quality and the expected design life, and various reports conclude that a well formulated and manufactured epoxy coating will have no effect on drinking water quality, that epoxy coatings offer further advantages over cement mortar linings in soft water areas, and that the life expectancy of correctly applied epoxy coatings is in excess of 60 years.

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The product that Copon Pipelinings recommends for the internal lining of drinking water pipelines is Copon Hycote 162 PWX. This product has been used for over 40 years, including on some of the largest water infrastructure projects in the world. Approved to the highest standards, it has been applied in the UK, USA, France, Russia, Kuwait, Oman, India, Singapore, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Italy. Over 10,000 km of lined pipe is in operation today, supplying high quality drinking water to millions of end users.

According to the manufacturer, these are just some of the advantages that a high quality epoxy coating can offer to the drinking water industry. With a track record stretching over 40 years, Copon Pipelinings has shown that these highly versatile coatings have much to offer to the water industry and offer huge advantages over traditional cement linings.

Copon Pipelinings (E Wood) has been involved in the Pipeline Industry for over 45 years. The Copon brand is associated worldwide with a manufacturer of high quality linings for oil, gas and water pipeline applications.