CNPetro Petrolatum Tape – AWWA C217 Compliant Corrosion Protection Tape
Cold-Applied, Non-Hardening Wrap for Buried and Exposed Steel Pipelines
Product Overview
CNPetro Petrolatum Tape is a cold-applied corrosion protection tape manufactured with a non-woven synthetic fabric carrier fully impregnated with a neutral petrolatum compound blended with inert fillers. Designed for the long-term protection of steel water pipes, fittings, valves, flanges, and irregular geometries, this tape provides a non-hardening, non-cracking barrier that remains permanently pliable and self-sealing.
The product complies with AWWA C217 (Microcrystalline Wax and Petrolatum Tape Coating Systems for Steel Water Pipe and Fittings), the American Water Works Association standard governing cold-applied petrolatum tape systems for buried, submerged, and aboveground steel water pipelines.14
Key Features & Benefits
| Feature |
Benefit |
| AWWA C217 Compliant |
Meets the recognized standard for petrolatum tape systems in potable water pipeline applications |
| Cold-Applied, Primer-Free Option |
Applied directly to marginally prepared surfaces (SSPC SP 2–3) without heating or specialized equipment |
| Non-Hardening, Non-Cracking |
Petrolatum compound remains permanently soft and pliable; will not dry out or shrink over time |
| Excellent Conformability |
Conforms to irregular shapes, valves, flanges, and fittings where tape alone cannot achieve a smooth profile |
| Water and Vapor Barrier |
Highly impermeable to water, water vapor, and gases |
| Chemical Resistance |
Resistant to mineral acids, alkalis, salts, and soil organics |
| Wide Temperature Range |
Suitable for application and service across diverse climatic conditions |
| Immediate Backfill |
No curing time required; pipeline can be returned to service immediately after application |
Typical Properties (Reference)
| Property |
Test Method |
Typical Value |
| Thickness |
ASTM D1000 |
1.15 mm average |
| Weight |
ASTM D1000 |
1.44 kg/m² average |
| Breaking Strength |
ASTM D1000 |
≥ 200 N/50 mm |
| Elongation at Break |
ASTM D1000 |
10% average |
| Water Vapor Transmission |
ASTM E96 |
0.006 perms average |
| Breakdown Voltage (55% overlap) |
— |
≥ 16 kV |
| Cathodic Disbondment (30 days) |
ASTM G8 |
≤ 500 mm² |
| Resistance to Acids, Alkalis, Salts |
— |
Excellent |
| Service Temperature |
— |
Up to 70°C (standard grades) |
| Roll Widths |
— |
50 mm to 300 mm |
| Roll Length |
— |
10 m (standard) |
Values are representative of standard petrolatum tape grades. Confirm against the specific CNPetro product data sheet.
System Integration
CNPetro Petrolatum Tape is designed as the inner wrap component of a complete cold-applied corrosion protection system. For optimal performance, the recommended system configuration is:
| Layer |
Product |
Function |
| 1 (innermost) |
CNPetro Petrolatum Paste/Mastic |
Surface preparation and void filling on irregular geometries |
| 2 |
CNPetro Petrolatum Tape (this product) |
Primary corrosion barrier; conforms to surface and seals against moisture |
| 3 |
CNPetro Outer Wrapping Tape (PVC or HDPE) |
Mechanical protection and UV resistance for exposed or high-abrasion environments |
This multi-layer approach is particularly suited to valves, flanges, tees, and other fittings where surface irregularity requires a profiling compound before tape application.
Compliance with AWWA C217
AWWA C217 establishes minimum performance requirements for cold-applied petrolatum and microcrystalline wax tape coating systems used on the exterior of steel water pipelines. The standard covers:14
CNPetro Petrolatum Tape is formulated to meet the material and performance requirements of this standard, making it suitable for potable water pipeline applications where AWWA compliance is specified.
Primary Applications
Steel water pipelines – Buried, submerged, and aboveground service (AWWA C217 scope)
Fittings and connections – Valves, flanges, tees, elbows, and couplings
Irregular geometries – Where standard tapes cannot achieve proper coverage
Pipeline rehabilitation – Repair of damaged or aging protective coatings
Marine and splash-zone structures – Where water displacement and corrosion protection are required
Oil and gas pipelines – Field joints and fitting protection (where AWWA compliance is accepted)
Application Summary
Surface Preparation: Remove loose scale, rust, and foreign matter to SSPC SP 2 (Hand Tool Cleaning) or SP 3 (Power Tool Cleaning) standard. High-pressure water washing (3,000–7,000 psi) is also acceptable.
Apply Primer/Paste (if specified): Apply a thin film of petrolatum paste or primer to the prepared surface, particularly on irregular geometries.
Wrap the Tape: Spirally wrap the tape with a minimum 25 mm (1 inch) overlap. For severely corrosive environments, a 55% overlap is recommended.
Press and Smooth: Press out air pockets and smooth all lap seams to ensure intimate contact.
Apply Outerwrap (if specified): Install a compatible outer wrapping tape for mechanical protection.
Inspect: Verify complete coverage, proper overlap, and sealed edges. No curing time is required before backfill.
Packaging and Availability
| Item |
Details |
| Roll Widths |
50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 200 mm, 300 mm |
| Roll Length |
10 m (standard); other lengths available on request |
| Packaging |
Individually wrapped rolls in cartons |
| Customization |
Project-specific widths and lengths available |
CNPetro — Protecting pipelines. Advancing performance.
For product data sheets, AWWA C217 compliance documentation, or technical consultation, please contact our sales team.
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