Testing of Epoxy Adhesives for a Splash-Zone Coating Retrofit System for Marine Pipeline Riser Applications

Abstract In the 1992/96 Joint Industry Project test program an epoxy adhesive was qualified, which was applicable and curable under water. However, it used a curative, which contained a man-made chemical called MDA (4,4' methylenedianiline). The MDA-containing curative was shown to be carcinogenic and was later withdrawn from the market. After removal of the MDA and reformulation, application and performance properties of epoxies for underwater application and curing were significantly affected. Since the reformulated epoxy adhesives did not meet the properties of the original (MDA-containing) adhesive, the application process for the riser coating retrofit system was significantly affected. An extensive research and testing program was conducted recently to find a suitable and effective replacement. This paper describes and discusses the testing methodology, which was used during the recent evaluation of replacement candidate epoxies.