NEWS ALERT: Hydrotesting: What’s the Right Corrosion Inhibitor for Your Job?

When it comes to corrosion protection during hydrostatic testing, it is hard to beat the convenience and performance of the VpCI®-649 Series. However, it is also good to remember that some applications require varying doses of VpCI®-649 or a different product altogether. The following tips can help you narrow down your choice for optimal results.

What Kind of Metal and Hydrotest Water Do You Have?

One of the first questions to ask is what type of metal is being hydrotested. Some applications include ferrous and yellow metals and therefore require a product that will protect both. Others only need protection for steel or cast iron. A dosing guide available from Cortec® lists applicable products by metal type.

The next step is to identify whether hydrotesting will be done in fresh water or brine/salt water. The latter is often done to save money in locations where seawater is abundant; however, it requires a stronger dose of corrosion protection than normal. Cortec’s dosing guide notes appropriate products for this purpose, as well.

How Long Do You Need Protection?

Another important consideration is length of preservation. Some hydrotest additives protect only during the hydrotest process, while others offer lingering protection for six, 12, or 24 months after. Sometimes all that is needed to meet that long-term requirement is to include a higher dose of inhibitor. Other times, it calls for applying a vapor-phase inhibitor after hydrotesting with a contact-only inhibitor.

Do You Have Special Hydrotest Features?

In addition to length and type of protection, end users should be aware of special requirements for low conductivity, renewable raw materials, or contact with drinking water system components. Cortec® offers such additives as VpCI®-648EcoLine® VpCI®-642, and VpCI®-649 HP* to cater to these needs (respectively).

Get the Right Product for the Job

It would be difficult to count all the industries where hydrostatic testing plays an essential role. Whether you are hydrotesting valves at the manufacturing site, drinking-water components at the installation site, or oil and gas pipelines in an offshore environment, the key is to choose the right corrosion inhibitor at the proper dose for best results. Contact Cortec® today for help choosing the optimal hydrotest additive for your job.

Keywords: hydrotesting, hydrotest products, pipeline hydrotest chemicals, corrosion inhibitor for hydrotesting, corrosion inhibitor for drinking water systems, vapor phase corrosion inhibitor, Cortec, VpCI, preservation after hydrotesting, hydrotesting with seawater

*When used as a surface treatment at concentrations up to 3.0% and drained.

For a PDF version please click here.