Pipeline Coating and Tapes :Manufacturing Processes

PE backings are manufactured by either a Calendering or Co-extrusion process whereby, the Polyethylene resins with additives are blended and processed to form a PE sheet or film. The calendering process by the nature of the methodology orients the molecular chains of the Polyethylene to provide some machine direction orientation of the PE film. This orientation provides some unique application advantages relative to the yield point of the PE film when stressed and stretched during application on pipe. Co-extrusion on the other hand does not impart the same degree of orientation, resulting in different tensile properties requiring different application parameters during application on pipe. After the application of the adhesive to the PE backing or film, the product is rolled into master rolls, slit to width and packaged as required by in-use application in the industry.