Tech-Patch Pipe and Tank Repair Page

Overview

Normal reactions to The Tech-Patch range from skepticism to complete denial. An explanation of the science and technologies involved clarifies how and why Tech-Patches work. All discussions must start with an understanding that Tech-Patches are a polymer, specifically flourosilicone (FVMQ). Polymers are used throughout our economy, but there has been a problem regarding polymers that nothing sticks to them. Reference, “Nothing sticks to Teflon®”.

Since the 1960’s, glue companies, research universities and technicians have been trying to find a glue that works on polymers. There has been limited success, but nothing that has met the requirements of modern manufacturing. In 2016, we developed our patented Polymer Bonding Process (Process) that bonds any polymer to itself, to any other polymer and/or to almost any other substrate. Glass, some alloy metals and stainless steel are the notable exceptions.
As the name indicates, the Process is not just a glue. With the Process, chemistry and the laws of physics are combined using a chemical reaction and heat are the keys to create covalent bonds between any polymer and almost all other substrates. Bonds are stronger than adhesive joins. Bonds are always more durable.

Flourosilicone:

There is a reason why, in high stress environments within the aerospace and automotive industries, that flourosilicone, our Tech-Patch material, is the polymer of choice. During the manufacturing process, the surface of flourosilicone is infused with polyfluoroalkyl side groups. This step strengthens the chemical and physical resistant properties of flourosilicone.
With these enhanced properties, Tech-Patches have excellent fuel, oil, water and weather resistance. Additionally, FVMQ has very good to excellent chemical resistance for most common chemicals. Translation, the polyfluoroalkyl side groups protect the fluorosilicone from damage from water, from weather, from gas, oil, all hydrocarbons, from salt, from humidity, etc.

The three types of Tech-Patches:

Based On Thickness and PSI rating:
Standard versions of all three types of the patches are two millimeters thick. Thicker patches are available and may be more appropriate for certain applications. Please contact us for more information regarding the use of these thicker patches.

Standard Tech-Patch

With the standard Tech-Patch, we leave the polyfluoroalkyl side groups on both sides of the Tech-Patch. Both sides, therefore, are glossy and retain maximum fuel, oil, water, weather and chemical resistance. Standard Tech-Patches are recommended for repairing damaged gas and oil tank/pipelines whether those tanks are plastic or metal. Burst pressure rating is 40 psi so standard Tech-Patches are recommended for all poly tanks and low-pressure pipelines.

XT Tech-Patches

To increase psi, XT Tech-Patches are abraded on one side. This surface preparation increases the burst pressure stress rating to 120 psi. XT Tech-Patches are recommended for pipe and tank repair in homes and the multi-family unit market. XT patches are NOT recommended for the repair of oil and gas tanks and pipelines.

MX Tech-Patches

Water infrastructure repairs require a higher-pressure rating than 120 psi. MX Tech-Patches are rated at 240 psi when copper foil is used as a substrate beneath the Tech-Patch. There are other substrates with different psi ratings. Our MX Tech-Patch are also abraded on one side. Please contact us for more information on MX Tech-Patch options.
Surface Preparation
One of the other characteristics of polyfluoroalkyl side groups is that surface tension is reduced. If you try to glue something onto fluorsilicone, your attempt will fail. It is our proprietary surface preparation process that converts fluorsilicone to Tech-Patches.
psi ratings
All quoted psi ratings were generated by bonding a Tech-Patch onto steel. Since steel is the most difficult material to bond to, Tech-Patches on all other substrates should produce a higher psi rating. Because of our patented Polymer Bonding Process, Tech-Patches can also be bonded onto poly tanks or HDPE pipes, the pipeline substrate of the 21st century. Bonds between the Tech-Patch and polymer substrates will have an exceptionally high psi rating.