Splash Zone Jetties

The piles were coated, pre-installation, with an undefined epoxy coating still showing good adhesion in the dry area / above the water line.

Whilst the splash zone area had been maintained over the years with various epoxy coatings, some showed better results than others. However, failure was frequently seen right after application (within 1-6 weeks).

Other failures were seen due to salt entrapment and cracking of the system over a period of 2 to 5 years in service. Whilst regular maintenance and re-coating were set to every 4 years, cracks were still appearing and corrosion was spreading under the film.

Following a review, STOPAQ was selected as an alternative and more durable solution to the corrosion issues being seen on the jetty piles. The flexible application makes it possible to start and stop the application at any time. Making it possible to continue terminal operations and minimize the cost. Below water and above water can be applied seamlessly or separately in preference due to weather, sea and time restrictions.

Surface preparation required High-Pressure Waterjetting, 300Bar to grade: ST2-3, removal of existing coating by induction heating in the dry area. STOPAQ products used to provide vital protection were: Wrappingband WSH(SZ), Intermediate Outerwrap PVC – yellow, Stopaq Wrappingband CZH, Outerwrap PVC – Black, and Outerglass Shield XT.

STOPAQ preventative materials do not harden or cure and keep their unique characteristics throughout the lifetime of the asset. They are impermeable to water and oxygen corrosion, two ingredients that cause corrosion.

You can see here a Pile quality check after years in service shows no corrosion or visible defects.