Viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape and heat shrink sleeve (tape) are anti-corrosion materials that can be used for repairing pipeline welds, but they differ in material composition, application scenarios, construction methods, and processes.

So how to choose when repairing pipelines?
Below, we will have a detailed understanding of viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape and heat shrink sleeve (tape).

In terms of material composition,

Visco Elastic Tape is composed of a new type of high-performance viscoelastic polyolefin material, which has the dual properties of solid adhesive material and liquid adhesive material. Has excellent viscoelasticity and waterproof sealing properties. Heat Shrinkable Sleeves covered 3LPE Heat Shrink Sleeves, 2PE Heat Shrink Tape, 3LPP Wrap Around Sleeves are composed of polyethylene substrate and hot melt adhesive.

In terms of application scenarios, viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape can be used for pipeline anti-corrosion, pipeline anti-corrosion layer repair, pipeline joint repair, and anti-corrosion of irregular equipment. Heat shrink sleeves (tapes) can be used for pipeline joint repair, and their application is relatively limited compared to viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape.

In terms of construction methods, when using viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape, there is no need for hot work heating, and it directly wraps around the surface of the equipment that needs anti-corrosion, which does not require high technical requirements from construction personnel. During the construction of heat shrink sleeves (tapes), hot work heating is required to wrap the equipment surface that needs anti-corrosion after the heat shrink sleeves (tapes) shrink. Special tools need to be prepared during construction, which requires high technical requirements for construction personnel.

In terms of process structure, viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape consists of formed film (cloth), viscoelastic adhesive, reinforcement ribs, viscoelastic adhesive, and release film. The heat shrink sleeve (tape) is composed of cross-linked polyethylene substrate, hot melt adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, and release film (paper).

From the perspective of construction design, viscoelastic anti-corrosion tape is mainly used for repairing the joints of old pipelines, while heat shrink tape is mainly used for repairing the joints of new pipelines.

From the above introduction, it can be seen that the new pipeline design still focuses on heat shrink bands, because the hardness, anti-corrosion structure, and effect of the heat shrink bands after baking are closer to the anti-corrosion layer of the overall 3LPE pipeline.

The specific selection depends on your needs.