Zn-Ni Alloy Coated Pipe Threaded Connection Anti-Galling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Threaded connections for oil country tubular goods face challenges with galling resistance, anti-misalignment properties, torque management, and corrosion resistance, particularly when subjected to repetitive use and varying temperatures, leading to reduced adhesiveness and increased shouldering torque.

Innovation Solution

A threaded connection featuring a Zn-Ni alloy plating layer, a phosphating layer, and a solid lubricant coating, stacked in that order, which enhances anti-misalignment properties, corrosion resistance, and adhesiveness, while maintaining appropriate torque levels and preventing scaling-off of the lubricant coating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compound grease containing heavy metals is used to improve galling resistance, then galling resistance is improved, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegalling resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm from heavy metals
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the harmful heavy metal components (Pb, Zn, Cu) from the compound grease formulation while retaining the essential lubricating and galling-resistant properties through alternative organic-based additives and formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the grease by replacing heavy metal compounds with organic additives, altering the chemical structure while maintaining the functional properties of galling resistance and lubrication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If repetitive fastening and loosening is performed, then inspection and reuse are enabled, but galling occurs due to strong friction on thread portions and unthreaded metal contact portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeatability of fastening and looseningVSAvoidgalling resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a specialized grease formulation in advance before fastening operations begin, creating a protective film on the thread portions and unthreaded metal contact portions that prevents galling during subsequent repetitive fastening and loosening cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces grease as an intermediary substance between the metal surfaces, reducing direct metal-to-metal contact and friction on the thread portions and unthreaded metal contact portions during fastening and loosening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If misalignment occurs during fastening, then assembly flexibility is improved, but shouldering torque increases and galling resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance to misalignmentVSAvoidgalling resistance under misalignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the grease to enhance its film strength and load-carrying capacity, enabling it to maintain effective lubrication and galling resistance even when misalignment occurs during fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides excellent anti-misalignment properties, corrosion resistance, and high adhesiveness of the solid lubricant coating, reducing galling and shouldering torque, and maintaining lubricity even under temperature fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

an alloy plating layer consisting of a Zn-Ni alloy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlloy plating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 2

a phosphating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphating: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a solid lubricant coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3396222B1Threaded connection for pipe or tube and method of producing the threaded connection for pipe and tube.
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 VALLOUREC MANNESMANN OIL & GAS FRANCE
  • EP3396222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An objective of the present invention is to provide a threaded connection for pipe or tube having an excellent anti-misalignment property and an appropriate shouldering torque, and further having excellent corrosion resistance and an excellent adhesiveness of a solid lubricant coating, and to provide a method of producing the threaded connection for pipe or tube. The threaded connection for pipe or tube according to the present embodiment includes a pin (13) and a box (14). The pin (13) and the box (14) have contact surfaces including thread portions (15) and (20) and unthreaded metal contact portions. The threaded connection for pipe or tube comprises an alloy plating layer (21) consisting of a Zn-Ni alloy on the contact surface of at least one of the pin (13) and the box (14), a phosphating layer (22), and a solid lubricant coating (23). These are stacked in an order of the alloy plating layer (21), phosphating layer (22), and the solid lubricant coating (23), from a contact surface side.