Armor Plate® 360 MP Pipe Wrap For Wrinkle Bends (Type II)

1. General

Armor Plate® Pipe Wrap (“APPW”) is a composite structural reinforcement pipeline repair system that also prevents future external corrosion. APPW is designed to repair pipelines while in service without depressurizing or lowering the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure (“MAOP”). APPW is a 3-part system (Resin, Putty and Armor Fiber®) specially designed for repairing straight pipe, elbows, tees, risers, reducers, “wrinkle bends”, “branch connections” and most any pipe configuration with external corrosion or mechanical damage.

Once cured, the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap has been engineer tested and designed for operating temperatures ranging from -60º F to 195º F (-51º C to 91º C). AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap may be applied in world-wide environments with ambient temperature and/or operating temperature up to 195º F (91º C). The AP 360 MP Kit contains Resin A & B, Putty A & B, Armor Fiber® and all necessary equipment for application in the field.

The APPW System is recognized by Department of Transportation (“DOT”) / Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”), as a permanent repair product and as the model for composite repairs. When a buried pipeline has been exposed and the repair is complete, the area may be backfilled the same day.

II. Surface Preparation

Prepare the repair area surface by grit blasting.  The best surface preparation is grit blasting because it prepares the pipe to a near white metal finish (NACE 2, Swedish Sa 2½ or SSPC SP10) with a 2 to 3 mil anchor pattern. A roughened, clean surface is necessary to properly install the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap. The area to be wrapped should be thoroughly wiped with Acetone, MEK, Xylene or equivalent, if possible.

III. Required Number of Layers and Repair Lengths

1. The “required number of layers” for a Wrinkle Bend Repair is twelve (12) layers.
2. The “required number of layers” should be applied as follows:
   • Six (6) layers in the axial direction.
   • Six (6) layers/wraps in the circumferential/hoop direction.
   • Alternate each layer/wrap. One layer in the axial direction and then one layer/wrap in the circumferential/hoop direction. Continue this process until the required number of layers/wraps is applied. The last layer/wrap should be in the circumferential/hoop direction.
3. The area to be wrapped should be one (1) time the pipe diameter in each direction from the center of the wrinkle.

IV. Installation

1. Axial Layers: Measure the axial length (width) of the repair area. Then measure the circumference of the pipe and divide by 12 inches to determine how many strips of Armor Fiber® is required to cover 360° of the pipe in the repair area. Cut the length and the number of required strips of the Armor Fiber® accordingly.
2. Circumferential Layers: Measure the circumference of the pipe at the highest peak of the wrinkle and add 2 inches (5 centimeters) or more to provide an overlap of the trailing end over the leading end of the Armor Fiber® for the first four (4) layers/wraps. Each additional four (4) layers/wraps, add 2 inches (5 centimeters) or more to the cut length of the Armor Fiber® in order to accommodate the increase in the outside diameter.
3. Once the surface of the pipe repair area is ready, it is now time to mix the Resin for priming and saturating the Armor Fiber®.
4. The mixing ratio for the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap System is 1:1. Mix one Part A to one Part B when mixing the Resin and the Putty.
5. Mix the AP 360 MP Epoxy Resins using one Part A Resin (white) to one Part B Resin (black) with stirring sticks and containers located in the AP 360 MP Repair Kit. Mix vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes until the resin color becomes gray. On larger repairs, a drill with a mixing paddle can be used. Mix material until there are no white or black streaks in the resin resulting in a final homogenous gray color.
6. Mix the AP 360 MP Epoxy Putty using one Part A Putty (white) to one Part B Putty (black) and mix until homogenous gray in color. Apply the putty to each side of the wrinkle bend/bends, to all voids and welds to provide the “load transfer” between the pipe and the Armor Plate® Pipe Wrap repair. Smooth over all the areas in order to produce a smooth, uniform and transitional surface.
7. Using a brush or roller provided, apply a primer coat of the mixed portion of the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin to the entire pipe surface and over the Putty in the repair area.
8. With a roller, completely saturate the Armor Fiber® on the rough side (chopped strand) first, then turn the Armor Fiber® over and completely saturate the smooth side, using the mixed AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin.
9. Once the Armor Fiber® is saturated, with the rough side down and the smooth side exposed, roll the Armor Fiber® onto the 2 inch x 2 inch wide x 15 inch long wooden applicator. The Armor Fiber® is now ready to be applied over the pipe repair area.
10. With the rough side of the saturated Armor Fiber® facing the pipe surface, place the first layer/strip in the axial direction on the pipe for the required linear distance. Continue around the pipe covering 360° of the pipe circumference in the axial direction. The strips should be straight with the axis of the pipe, butted-up and touching. Smooth out the layer/strip, using gloved hands to prevent air pockets, voids or wrinkles.
11. With the rough side of the saturated Armor Fiber® facing the pipe surface, place the second layer/wrap in the circumferential/hoop direction on the pipe for the required linear distance, butted-up and touching. Smooth out the layer/wrap, using gloved hands to prevent air pockets, voids or wrinkles.
12. Repeat steps #10 and #11 until the “required number of layers/wraps” are applied.

13. After the “required number of layers” is installed, mix the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Putty. Apply the Putty to each exposed circumferential seam, to both edges and at the trailing end of the Armor Fiber®. These areas should be covered with approximately 1 inch (2½ centimeters) in width of Putty to insure the wrap is properly sealed, thus completing the repair. The completed repair will cure and harden in approximately 2 hours at 85° F (29° C). The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap installation will remain tacky until the cure time has been reached. Once the system has cured, you are now ready to backfill the same or next day, if this repair was on a buried pipeline that has been exposed.

V. Materials

Armor Plate manufacturing & shipping

Depending on the number of wraps and the linear feet of the repair, each kit will repair any variation of pipe diameter. The kit sizes are 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 square feet. Each kit contains Resin, Putty, Armor Fiber® and all necessary equipment for application in the field:

• Armor Plate® 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin “A” side (white in color)
• Armor Plate® 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin “B” side (black in color)
• Armor Plate® 360 MP Pipe Wrap Putty “A” side (white in color)
• Armor Plate® 360 MP Pipe Wrap Putty “B” side (black in color)
• Armor Fiber® (The length of the Armor Fiber® is determined by the square footage size of each kit – for example, a 25 square foot kit contains a roll of Armor Fiber® that is 25 foot in length.) The Armor Fiber® is 12 inches (304.8 mm) in width and .0625 inches (1.6 mm) in thickness.

VI. Characteristics

1. The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap System is user-friendly.
2. The mix ratio is 1:1 (equal amounts) for the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin and Putty.
3. AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap may be applied in world-wide environments with ambient temperature and/or operating temperature up to 195º F (91º C). Warm temperatures may require tenting to provide shade for mixing and application. Cool temperatures may require external heat for mixing and application below 60° F (16° C).
4. AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap may be properly applied on damp pipe or condensating pipe, with limitations. For Technical Support, please contact Armor Plate, Inc. at 281-487-2023.
5. Once cured, the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap has been tested and designed for operating temperatures ranging from  -60º F to 195º F (-51º C to 91º C).
6. Once the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap is properly installed and cured, it restores the strength above the Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP) of the pipeline.
7. The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap contains ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors. An additional layer of paint or coating may be applied for additional protection.
8. The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap can usually be applied by two field crewmembers. On larger repairs, a crew of four (4) field crewmembers is required. They can usually apply between 75 and 125 square feet of material per hour, depending on the severity of weather conditions and/or access to the repair area.
9. Estimating Coverage: One gallon of AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin will saturate approximately 25 square feet of Armor Fiber®.

VII. Curing

1. If the outside temperature is below 55º F (13º C), we recommend warming the Resin and Putty to above 60º F (16º C). This will insure the Resin and Putty will mix easier and apply faster. Once the Resin or Putty has been mixed, it will set up at 60º F (16º C) or higher.
2. The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap will cure with outside temperature and pipe temperature above 60º F (16º C).
3. The application of heat reduces the cure time of the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap. External heat (i.e. – heat lamps, quartz lights, Tioga Heaters / ducts, etc.) applied at temperatures below 70º F (21º C) makes the system apply easier and cure.
4. One quart mass of mixed AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin and Putty will have a pot life/working time of approximately 45 minutes at 75º F (24º C).

VIII. Storage & Handling

1. The AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap components must be kept dry. The Epoxy Resin, Epoxy Putty and Armor Fiber® must be stored in a dry area, or covered in order for the application equipment and Armor Fiber® to perform properly.
2. The Armor Fiber® must be completely dry at the time of mixing to achieve proper saturation.
3. Shelf Life on the AP 360 MP Pipe Wrap Resin and Putty – minimum two (2) years in sealed containers.