EXPLORATION • DRILLING • FIELD SERVICES OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
FCOATINGS COR ALL
Carl Allison explains how next-generation coatings are meeting the challenges of the oil & gas industry
T
he often-extreme conditions and harsh environments associated with petrochemical plant and equipment mean that protection from factors
such as corrosion (particularly in saltwater environments) heat, UV, harsh chemicals and abrasion is critical. Many items such as fasteners, valves, seals, gaskets, risers and fittings require specialist coatings, broadly known as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). In essence, these high-performance coatings combine two kinds of plastics – fluoropolymers (which have the lowest friction coefficient of any known solid) and high-temperature organic polymers. Together, they provide products that have a highly versatile set of properties, which includes improving corrosion resistance, reducing torque and eliminating galling (damage caused by two surfaces sliding against each other). Te majority of parts and machinery operating under pressure require some form of dry lubrication. Whether this is low-contact pressure applications (such as bearings and actuators) or extreme loads (such as valve springs, sealing rings and down-hole tools), specialist coatings systems have been proven to extend component life and enhance performance. An added benefit is that PTFE coatings
are available in a range of colours to aid product identification. Specialist coatings systems also play a
vital role in the production of tooling, with a broad range of release coatings available to cover most moulding applications. In addition to applying coatings to new mould tools, it is possible to strip old coatings, prepare and re-coat used moulds – thereby extending the life of the tool. Te benefits
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ONDITIONS
A high performance coating being wet sprayed on to critical components
of release coatings for this application are the elimination of other manually applied release agents (such as sprayed and brushed on) and usually an improvement in process efficiency.
THE MERITS OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS Other applications require that certain pipeline or pipe fittings and components used in oil exploration are dipped or coated in thermoplastic materials. Te advantages of thermoplastic solutions in this environment are the excellent corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, anti-flammability and low smoke and fume properties that the coatings offer. Te unique properties of thermoplastic materials offer the manufacturer an
opportunity to work the coating material in later operations. Tere are several applications where the applied coating is re-heated during the production process and a bonding agent is used for other materials and components to be robustly attached to the originally coated item. Tis is particularly common for filter screens and membranes. Plastic Coatings Limited uses a number of PTFE products that are specifically designed for the petrochemical sector and which have a proven, successful track record in the field. Tese broadly span three main categories: extreme performance coatings; lubrication and release coatings; and abrasion and chemical resistance coatings. Extreme performance coatings are well established in the industrial
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