The bonded thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) being made to Brazil’s deep-water specifications is built by laying down layers of carbon fibre material and a polymer such as PEEK or PVDF, writes Russell McCulley.
The process creates a wall of material that resembles a solid steel pipe but is stronger, weighs much less and is impervious to rust and corrosion.
The load-bearing strength of the pipe can be customised by varying the orientation of the fibre layers during manufacturing.
