Maintenance, Repair and Operations Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

07/11/2024 Final rusting place Tackling the costly issue of corrosion is an ongoing headache for plant managers in many industries. Louise Davis meets the specialists at a coatings expert whose aim is to empower the industry in its efforts to conquer corrosion » Read More


11/03/2021 Small bore, big problem: a guide to prevent corrosion in tubing More delicate than pipework, small-bore tubing can still resist even highly corrosive offshore environments, if the right materials are specified and installed properly. If not, damage can lead to dangerous and costly leaks. By Deborah ... » Read More


10/12/2020 Step change at Blackpool Tower Blackpool Tower’s 126-year-old external staircase is to be removed as part of a wider renovation project. A decision on how the staircase will be replaced is being evaluated. By Brian Wall » Read More


03/12/2020 A new coat: alternatives to hexavalent chromium Zinc and chrome coatings have been widely used to protect against corrosion an improve surface properties since the industrial revolution. However, these coatings have historically used hexavalent chromium, which is highly toxic to both ... » Read More


06/10/2010 Scratching the surface Extending the life and applicability of materials and components through the application of coatings is an old engineering trick. Steed Webzell provides an update on the latest technologies and processes » Read More


01/10/2009 Take cover Whether you're protecting materials, components or assemblies against corrosion, heat or fatigue, there are specialist coating choices to be considered. Steed Webzell reports » Read More


01/10/2008 Got it covered? The scale of demand for innovative surface coatings, from sectors of manufacturing where component performance and longevity are key, demonstrates the potency of new technologies - and the sheer potential value for plant engineers ... » Read More


01/10/2007 Skin deep While it's still the case that bulk material properties decide overall engineering strength and mechanical performance, coatings increasingly determine not only appearance, but corrosion and wear resistance - and serious developments are ... » Read More


01/10/2006 Surface Preparation - It's a blast! So what exactly is industry's hang-up with surface preparation? Unfortunately, it's that the process doesn't add any value to the finished component. However, ignoring this important operation is likely to be a very costly decision, if it ... » Read More


01/10/2005 Skin-deep functionality Beauty may only be skin deep, but protective coatings, which tend to be even thinner, determine corrosion and wear resistance, as well as the product's outward appearance. » Read More


07/12/2004 Paints and Protective Coatings - Extensive coverage Just about everything we see is surfaces. And just about every manufactured product has had its surface coated or treated in some way to improve its performance. The benefits can be immense. For instance, the world's shipping fleets would ... » Read More