IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Engineering and Modern Technology (IJEMT )

E-ISSN 2504-8848
P-ISSN 2695-2149
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijemt.vol.11.no4.2025.pg156.182

---

Nanocomposite Coatings for Subsea Pipeline Corrosion Protection in Nigeria: Harnessing the Functionalities of Locally Sourced Bentonite and Rubber

P P Obot, Aniekan Offiong, Emmanuel U Odeh, and A P Ihom

---

Abstract

The study synthesized and characterized a polymer-rubber-organoclay nanocomposite coating for corrosion protection of X52-linepipe steel in a marine environment. A blend of diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) and epoxidized hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (EHTPB) rubber, with its nanocomposite coatings, was synthesized by solution exfoliation/intercalation. The degree of EP-EHTPB modification and fracture toughness was evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM, while the degree of intercalation/exfoliation of nanoparticles was determined using XRD and SEM. The mechanical, adhesion, and barrier properties of the coatings were determined according to ASTM standards, while their corrosion behaviour was evaluated using total immersion and EIS techniques. The mechanical, adhesion, and barrier properties of the modified EP-10R and EP-10R-omNa-MMt nanocomposite coatings were enhanced compared to those of the EP. The protective properties of the nanocomposite coatings were higher compared to those of the EP, with EP-10R-3wt.%omNa-MMt showing the highest protection efficiency. The study concludes that by effectively integrating locally sourced bentonite as advanced nanomaterials, the synthesized polymer-rubber-organoclay nanocomposite coating shows the potential to significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of subsea pipelines.

keywords:

Bentonite, nanocomposite, coating, corrosion, subsea, pipeline.

---

References:

[1]
Mokhatab, S., Poe, W. A. and Mak, J. Y. (2012). Raw Gas Transmission. In: Handbook
of Natural Gas Transmission and Processing, (Second Edition). Waltham, Massachusetts:
Gulf Professional Publishing: USA. p176.
[2]
Menon, E. S. (2014). Transmission Pipeline Calculations and Simulations Manual. (First
Edition). Oxford: Elsevier: Gulf Professional Publishing, 612p.
[3]
Rehman, K. and Nawaz, F. (2017). Remote Pipeline Monitoring using Wireless Sensor
Networks. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Communication,
Computing and Digital Systems (C-CODE), IEEE: Piscataway, New Jersey: USA.
[4]
Xiao, Q., Li, J., Sun, J., Feng, H. and Jin, S. (2018). Natural-gas pipeline leak location
using variational mode decomposition analysis and cross-time–frequency spectrum.
Measurement, 124: 163-172.
[5]
Arifin, B., Li, Z., Shah, S. L., Meyer, G. A. and Colin, A. A. (2018). Novel data-driven
leak detection and localization algorithm using the Kantorovich distance. Elsevier:
International Journal of Computer Applications in Chemical Engineering, 108: 300-313.
[6]
Jia, Z., Wang, Z., Sun, W. and Li, Z. (2019). Pipeline leakage localization based on
distributed FBG hoop strain measurements and support vector machine. International
Journal for Light and Electron Optics, 176: 1-13.
[7]
Nazir, M. H., Saeed, A. and Khan, Z. A. (2017). Comprehensive predictive corrosion
model incorporating varying environmental gas pollutants applied to wider steel
applications. Material Chemistry and Physics, 183:19-34.
[8]
Bolotina, I., Borikov, V., Ivanova, V., Mertins, K. and Uchaikin, S. (2018). Application
of phased antenna arrays for pipeline leak detection. Journal of Petroleum Science and
Engineering, 161: 497-505.
[9]
Al-Janabi, Y. T. (2020). An Overview of Corrosion in Oil and Gas Industry: Upstream,
Midstream, and Downstream Sectors. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH
& Co. KGaA., 38p.
[10] Tamalmani, K. and Husin, H. (2020). Review on corrosion inhibitors for oil and gas
corrosion issues. Journal of Applied Sciences, 10: 1-16.
[11] Domna, M., Panagiotis, X., Panagiotis, G., Konstantinos, T. and Panagiotis, S. (2017).
Corrosion protection of steel by epoxy-organoclay nanocomposite coatings. Coatings,
7(84): 1-19.
[12] Bergaya, F. and Lagaly, G. (2013). General Introduction: Clays, Clay Minerals, and Clay
Science. In: Bergaya, F. and Lagaly, G. (Eds.). Handbook of Clay Science, (Second
Edition). Elsevier, Amsterdam: Development in Clay Science, Volume 5A, 1224p.
[13] Vijay, K. T. and Manju, K. T. (2015). Eco-friendly Polymer Nanocomposites Processing
and Properties. Advanced Structured Materials, Springer: New Delhi India, 579p.
[14] Bergaya, F., Detellier, C., Lambert, J. F. and Lagaly, G. (2013). Introduction to Clay
Polymer Nanocomposites (CPN). In: Bergaya, F. and Lagaly, G. (Eds.). Handbook of
Clay Science, (Second Edition). Elsevier, Amsterdam: Development in Clay Science,
Volume 5A., 1677p.
[15] Asgari, M., Abouelmagd, A. and Sundararaj, U. (2017). Silane functionalization of
sodium montmorillonite nanoclay and its effect on rheological and mechanical properties
of HDPE/clay nanocomposites. Applied Clay Science, 146: 439–448.
[16] Niroumand, J. S., Peighambardoust, S. J. and Shenavar, A. (2016). Polystyrene-based
composites and nanocomposites with reduced brominated-flame retardant. Iranian
Polymer Journal, 25(7): 607–614.
[17] Bahreini, Z., Heydari, V. and Namdari, Z. (2017). Effects of nano-layered silicates on
mechanical and chemical properties of acrylic-melamine automotive clear coat. Pigment
and Resin Technology, 46(5): 333–341.
[18] Agwu, O. E., Okon, A. N. and Udoh, F. D. (2015). A Review of Nigerian Bentonitic
Clays as Drilling Mud. In Proceedings of the SPE-178264-MS Nigeria Annual
International Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers, Lagos,
Nigeria.
[19] Ombaka, O. (2016). Characterization and classification of clay minerals for potential
applications in Rugi Ward, Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and
Technology, 10(11): 415-431.
[20] Afolabi, O. R., Orodu, D. O. and Efeovbokhan, E. V. (2017). Properties and application
of Nigerian bentonite clay deposits for drilling mud formulation: Recent advances and
future prospects. Applied Clay Science, 143: 39–49.
[21] ASTM D638-14, (2014). Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, United States.
[22] ASTM D2794-93, (2014). Standard Test Method for Resistance of Organic Coatings to
the Effects of Rapid Deformation (Impact). ASTM International, West Conshohocken,
United States.
[23] ASTM D3359-02, (2002). Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test.
ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United States.
[24] ASTM E96/E96M-16, (2017). Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
Materials. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United States.
[25] ASTM G 31 - 72, (2004). Standard Practice for Laboratory Immersion Corrosion Testing
of Metals. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United States.
[26] ASTM B457 – 67, (2003). Standard Test Method for Measurement of Impedance of
Anodic Coatings on Aluminium. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, United
States.
[27] Mahantesha, B. K., Ravindrachary, V., Padmakumari, R., Sahanakumari, R.,
Tegginamata, P., Sanjeev, G., Petwal, V. C. and Verma, V. P. (2019). Effect of electron
irradiation on optical, thermal and electrical properties of polymer electrolyte. Journal of
Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 1(3): 1-9.
[28] Silva, A. A. C., Gomes, T. I., Martins, B. D. P., Garcia, R. B. R., Cividanes, L. D. S. and
Kawachi, E. Y. (2020). New Insights in Adhesive Properties of Hybrid Epoxy-Silane
Coatings for Aluminum Substrates: Effect of Composition and Preparation Methods.
Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 30: 3105–3115.
[29] Rudawska, A. (2021). Mechanical properties of selected epoxy adhesive and adhesive
joints of steel sheets. Applied Mechanics, 2(1): 108-126.
[30] Bia?kowska, A., Bakar, M., Kucharczyk, W. and Zarzyka, I. (2023). Hybrid epoxy
nanocomposites: Improvement in mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms—
A Review. Polymers, 15(6): 1-31.
[31] Dai, P., Luo, X., Yang, Y., Kou, Z., Huang, B., Zang, J. and Ru, J. (2020). High
temperature tensile properties, fracture behaviors and nanoscale precipitate variation of
an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International, 30(1):
63–73.
[32] Fugolin, A. P. P., Costa, A. R., Correr-Sobrinho, L., Crystal Chaw, R., Lewis, S.,
Ferracane, J. L., and Pfeifer, C. S. (2021). Toughening and polymerization stress control
in composites using thiourethane-treated fillers. Scientific Reports, 11(1): 1-12.
[33] Zotti, A., Zuppolini, S., Zarrelli, M. and Borriello, A. (2016). Fracture toughening
mechanisms in epoxy adhesives - Applications and properties. Intech, 10: 237-269.
[34] Khan, I., Saeed, K. and Khan, I. (2019). Nanoparticles: Properties, applications and
toxicities. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 12(7): 908-931.
[35] Archibong, F. N., Orakwe, L. C. and Ogah, O. A. (2023). Emerging progress in
montmorillonite rubber/polymer nanocomposites: a review. Journal of Materials
Science, 58: 2396–2429.
[36] Espíndola, S.P., Zlopasa, J. and Picken, S. J. (2023). Systematic study of the
nanostructures of exfoliated polymer nanocomposites. Macromolecules, 56(18):7579-
[37] Cristina, C., Mihaela, C. and Anca, D. (2017). Effect of PET functionalization in
composites of rubber–PET–HDPE type. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 10(3): 300-312.
[38] Wang, J., Zhang, X., Jiang, L. and Qiao, J. (2019c). Advances in toughened polymer
materials by structured rubber particles. Progress in Polymer Science, 98:123-139.
[39] Liang, Y. and Pearson, R. (2010)

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back