Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Internal coating revolution makes the impossible possible for the oil and gas industry", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 51 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1999.01851fad.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Internal coating revolution makes the impossible possible for the oil and gas industry
New products and materials
Internal coating revolution makes the impossible possible for the oil and gas industry
Keyword: Coatings
A revolutionary process which for the first time allows the uniform coating of the internal surfaces of tubes up to two meters long - even capillary - dies, moulds and punches of complicated shape, cylinders and shaped parts is soon to be available in the UK.
Hardide, a unique family of sophisticated gaseous depositions will effectively make the impossible possible in that it can achieve all this whereas conventional plasma, laser or ion beam coating methods cannot.
Based on breakthrough Russian research and developed in the Isle of Man by Isle Hardide Limited, key features of the coating include: a microhardness up to 3,500 HV (corundum is 2,500) - harder than titanium nitride; nitriding and cementation diffusion, and plasma sprayed tungsten carbide; porosity of 0.04 percent; resistant to corrosion, to acids, alkali, H2S and other aggressive solutions; highly adhesive to steel, hard alloy, ceramic, and diamond crystals with thickness 0.01 to 0.5mm; provides a smooth coating surface which allows facilitated finishing by cheap honing; enables thick coating deposition; low deposition temperature; and entire process takes one tenth of time of rivals.
When compared to titanium nitride coating, Hardide is 20-40 percent harder, 10 to 20 fold thicker and is significantly cheaper both in terms of materials and equipment.
The process has been successfully tested as hardening, abrasion, wear and corrosion resistant coating on dies, moulds, diamond tools, pump sleeves and valves for the oil and gas industry, as well as hydraulic pistons and cylinders. Such was the extended lifespan of these critical and expensive parts operated under harsh conditions that the actual cost effectiveness of Hardide was increased manyfold.
Hardide was officially launched on the international scene at the Coat 99 Show in Dallas in September, the first US event to be dedicated to metal finishing. The technology is currently being evaluated by some of the UK's largest companies - although there is no intention at this stage to grant exclusive licences. Licence applications for Hardide are available from Isle Hardide Limited, a subsidiary of CFB plc of Castletown, Isle of Man, pioneers in secure global technology commercialisation and development.
For more information contact CFB plc, CFB House 8-10 Malew Street, Castletown, Isle of Man. Tel: +44 (0) 1624 825472.