Fiber Reinforced Composite Patch For High-Pressure Pipe Repair

The firefighting water mist piping system on Navy ships are at increased risk of leaking due to exposure to corrosive environments. These high-pressure lines activate when a fire emergency occurs and leaks can cause depressurization in the pipes, compromising the effectiveness of the system. Critical machinery connected to the same water lines can also be damaged because of a depressurization event. Current solutions deployed onboard, such as welding and epoxy soft patches, are not ideal fixes in a ship environment because they require specialized labor and equipment and greatly delay water flow restoration. Soft patches specifically are known for having long cure times and short working time. Luna Labs has previously developed a thermally activated concrete repair polymer that has excellent mechanical properties. When reinforced with glass fiber, this polymer builds a composite (i.e. MantaSeal) capable of patching leaks and giving end-users extended working time to perform repairs. Luna Labsí technology outperforms commercially available soft patches given its extended working time and rapid full cure.Ý