3PE and FBE Coated Large-Diameter Fittings for Saudi Arabia

For large pipeline projects, material selection and fabrication are only part of the finished fitting specification. Surface protection can be equally important, especially when the component must withstand different conditions on its external and internal surfaces.
Haihao Group recently supplied large-diameter 3PE coated fittings for a Saudi NEOM project. The order includes 80-inch equal tees and reduced tees manufactured from API 5L X52 PSL-2-W plate.
The finished components use 3PE on the external surface and FBE on the internal surface.

Product Configuration

Product Size Wall Thickness Material External Coating Internal Lining
Equal Tee with Reinforcement Pad 80″ 20.62 mm API 5L X52 PSL-2-W 3PE FBE
Reduced Tee with Complete Reinforcement Pad 80″ × 48″ 20.62 mm / 15.88 mm API 5L X52 PSL-2-W 3PE FBE
Reduced Tee with Complete Reinforcement Pad 72″ × 48″ 19.05 mm / 15.88 mm API 5L X52 PSL-2-W 3PE FBE

The combination of an external coating and internal lining provides two separate protective layers for the finished pipeline component.

Why Use Different Coating Systems?

The outside and inside of a pipeline fitting are exposed to different conditions.
3PE external coating is used on the outside surface. Its multi-layer structure provides an external barrier for the steel substrate.
FBE internal lining is applied to the internal surface. It creates a continuous protective layer between the pipeline medium and the steel surface.
For 3PE coated fittings, coating quality is not simply a visual requirement. Surface preparation, application conditions, coating continuity and handling after coating all influence the final condition of the component.

Hebei Haihao Group undertakes Saudi Arabia's NEOM project 80 inch pipe fittings with external 3PE and internal FBE coating

Hebei Haihao Group undertakes Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project 80 inch pipe fittings with external 3PE and internal FBE coating

Material: API 5L X52 PSL-2-W Plate

The fittings for this project were manufactured from API 5L X52 PSL-2-W, with plate specified as the raw material.
The chemical analysis recorded in the supplied test document is:

C Mn S P Si Cr Ni Mo Cu V Ti Nb B CEpcm
0.068 1.32 0.0023 0.013 0.212 0.232 0.131 0.007 0.014 0.002 0.011 0.027 0.0004 0.16
0.070 1.38 0.004 0.014 0.200 0.030 0.010 0.010 0.020 0.002 0.020 0.020 0.0005 0.16
0.074 1.35 0.0019 0.015 0.209 0.234 0.131 0.008 0.014 0.002 0.015 0.029 0.0004 0.17
0.070 1.34 0.004 0.011 0.200 0.030 0.020 0.003 0.010 0.002 0.020 0.020 0.0003 0.14
0.072 1.33 0.0016 0.013 0.256 0.230 0.141 0.007 0.014 0.002 0.012 0.029 0.0004 0.16
0.070 1.37 0.004 0.013 0.200 0.030 0.020 0.010 0.020 0.002 0.020 0.020 0.0004 0.16
The reported specification limits are C ≤0.24, Mn ≤1.40, S ≤0.015, P ≤0.025, Si ≤0.45, Cr ≤0.30, Ni ≤0.30, Mo ≤0.15, Cu ≤0.50, V ≤0.10, Ti ≤0.04, Nb ≤0.05, B ≤0.001 and CEpcm ≤0.25.

Mechanical Properties

The material test documentation includes mechanical testing according to ASTM A370.

Test Y.S. Rp0.2 (MPa) T.S. BM (MPa) Transverse WM (MPa) E (%) Hardness (HBW)
Test 1 443 / 467 531 / 570 — / 575 43 / 28 160/155/158 / 198/201/207
Test 2 458 / 460 563 / 565 — / 568 41 / 32 165/162/162 / 196/196/197
Test 3 464 / 458 525 / 560 — / 562 39 / 28 165/164/167 / 212/216/211

The supplied test record gives reference requirements of 360–530 MPa yield strength, 460–760 MPa tensile strength and minimum 20% elongation.

Large-Diameter Coating Requires Controlled Handling

An 80-inch fitting has a considerably larger surface area than conventional pipeline fittings. After fabrication and inspection, coating application therefore becomes an important part of the delivery process.
For this NEOM project, the specified protection is:
Steel fitting → external 3PE coating / internal FBE lining
The coating system is applied to the finished fitting surfaces, with particular attention required around the branch connection and reinforced areas.

From Material to Finished Fitting

The project demonstrates a complete supply chain covering:
API 5L X52 plate → large-diameter tee fabrication → reinforcement → inspection → 3PE external coating → FBE internal lining
Haihao Group holds ABS, API, ISO, BV, CE and EAC certifications, supporting its international pipeline product supply capabilities.
For customers looking for 3PE coated fittings with customized dimensions and internal FBE lining, Haihao Group can manufacture according to project drawings and technical specifications.

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