Comparison of Corrosion Resistance of Fiberglass/Epoxy and Fiberglass/Polyester Composite Pipes for Application in Natural Gas Transportation

Abstract

Two types of composites, fiberglass/epoxy and fiberglass/polyester, were compared for possible application to natural gas pipelines. The properties of these composites in some corrosive media were estimated using tensile break and weight change tests. These tests were conducted for the composite samples by exposure to hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and sodium chloride chemical solutions as well as ultraviolet (UV) light. Results showed that the corrosion strength of the polyester composite is lower than of the epoxy one in all chemical environments. The resistance of epoxy composite against UV light is higher than that of the polyester type. Generally, the epoxy composite is more resistant than the polyester type in all corrosive environments.