Dirty water and effluent pipes used in aggressive environments have also been protected by Rilsan^® Fine Powder coatings with similar success.

Rilsan^® Fine Powder thermoplastic coating systems offer significant advantages over rigid thermoset counterparts such as FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) resins.

Cavitation Resistance

Cavitation erosion is a major mode of failure of coatings and metals in water industry applications. Using ASTM Method G-32-98 (Cavitation Erosion Using Vibratory Apparatus), the present research shows that thermoplastic powder coatings based on polyamide-11 (Rilsan^® Fine Powder) have exceptional resistance to cavitation erosion – substantially better than other coatings, such as epoxies, used in water industry applications. In fact, polyamide-11 coatings perform better than metals—including stainless steel. Gravimetric and optical data for a variety of coatings and metals are discussed. Moreover, analyses show that in addition to a mechanical component, there is a chemical component to cavitation erosion.

Regulatory Approvals

Rilsan^® Fine Powder coatings meet the various regulatory requirements on the suitability of materials in contact with drinking water, and are now certified in many countries:

• France (Circular DGS/VS4/N°99.217)
• United Kingdom (WRAS and DWI certification)
• Netherlands (ATA certification)
• Belgium (NBN S 29-001 standard)
• Germany (DVGW certification)
• Italy (Circular 102)
• South Africa (SABS 1217 standard)
• Canada (Ontario Ministry of Energy and Environment, and Bureau de Normalisation du Québec - Quebec Standards Authority - BNQ 3660- 950)
• United States (NSF 61 certification)

The application of Rilsan^® Fine Powder coatings on pipes and fittings in the water sector has been approved by two French standards, NFA 49-713 and NFA 49-714, and an american standard AWWAC224-01 which define application parameters for the two-layer system. One European standard is also currently being drafted.

Because of regular earthquake tremors in Japan, many architects specify that suitably protected carbon steel pipe systems should be incorporated in building construction. While mechanically strong, ferrous metal pipes risk the onset of premature corrosion without a reliable protective coating. For the past 20 years, many Rilsan^® Fine Powder coated metal pipes and fittings have been installed in Japan. During that time no reported failures have been attributed to the Rilsan^® Fine Powders protective coating system.

Rilsan^® Fine Powders are extensively used in the UK to coat water pipe couplings and fasteners. A service life in excess of 50 years is commonly expected. Couplings and connector components are fluid bed coated to obtain a film thickness of 250 to 350 microns, fasteners (nuts & bolts) are electrostatically sprayed to obtain film thickness of about 100 microns. The economic performance of Rilsan® Fine Powder coated fasteners compares favorably with alternative options including stainless steel. The use of Rilsan^® Fine Powder coated couplings and fasteners was pioneered in the UK and has become commonplace in the water industry.

Throughout Paris, France, Rilsan^® Fine Powder coatings are used through many parts of the drinking water distribution network.

In Australia, many distribution mains incorporating Rilsan^® Fine Powder coated cast iron valves and couplings have been installed.

When extracting oil from wells it is often necessary to increase the well pressure by injecting water. This water, often obtained from adjacent aquifers, can be highly corrosive, containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and bacteria.

We provide the key building blocks—top-quality raw materials—as well as extensive service and technical support to meet virtually any water treatment application.

For more information, visit our product-specific Web sites:

	Methane Sulfonic Acid
	Rilsan® Fine Powders