Why Choose HVOF Coatings For Subsea Valves?
At present, the oil and gas sector, as well as North Sea oil, is operating in a tough market. OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), operators, and the wider supply chain are being forced to adapt. But engineers must not overlook opportunities as operators and manufacturers scale back to reduce their cost base. What opportunities? We are referring to opportunities such as those presented by surface engineering to improve operational efficiency and reduce capital costs.
HVOF coatings for subsea valves, other maintenance processes, and innovative equipment repair are being utilized to make the industry more efficient and help it become leaner.
Subsea Valves – Preserving, Maintaining, and Repairing
Valves and other flow and pressure control equipment are important assets in an oilfield. To extend their service life, they can often be refurbished or repaired. Valve seats and valve bodies typically suffer from abrasive wear and corrosion. This is particularly true when, between two moving surfaces, particles are introduced.
To increase wear resistance, newly manufactured valve gates can be protectively coated. What’s more, however, to restore components to their original condition, they can be refurbished through the use of thermal spray. To ensure an effective sealing surface, seat faces can be sprayed with HVOF coatings. To protect the external surfaces of ball valves from corrosion and wear, these coatings can be exteriorly sprayed, as well. Frequently eliminating the need to purchase new parts, original condition can be restored to used ball valves using HVOF coatings. To extend the service life of valve bodies and sealing surfaces, once again, HVOF coatings can be applied.
Extending the Lifespan of Equipment
Numerous factors help determine whether equipment can be salvaged or refurbished. Included in the decision-making are the following considerations:
- Operating environment
- Functional properties required
When industries aren’t sure of whether or not refurbishment or salvaging is possible, they refer to the experts. By partnering with A&A Coatings, your particular situation can be investigated and diagnosed for the solution most appropriate. When assessing refurbishment and repair jobs, we always take customer approval into consideration. We operate within customer requirements and current regulatory frameworks.
HVOF Coatings
In numerous industries throughout the world, HVOF coatings are being used and appreciated. What makes these coatings so special? First of all, what do those letters stand for? Answer: High Velocity Oxygen Fuel.
In the thermal process referred to here, applied at high speeds, molten materials or semi molten materials are used on substrates.
HVOF coatings have many benefits, including the following:
- They provide hard coatings
- Denser, smoother coatings
- Provide superior wear protection
- Far thicker coatings are achievable compared to some other coating processes
- Adhesive strength is increased
- Corrosion resistance is increased
The following four materials are most commonly used in the HVOF process:
- Tungsten carbide
- Chromium carbide
- Aluminum bronze
- Tungsten carbide nickel super alloy
Are you interested in HVOF Coatings?
Contact A&A Coatings for more information on subsea valve protection, types of coatings available, and methods through which coatings can be applied. If your business or industry is suffering from some other deteriorating, disintegrating, or diminishing effect, consult with one of our experienced, educated staff members to see how our coatings can be of assistance.
