The widespread demand for increased uptime encourages Oerlikon Metco to continually develop reliable surface technology products that protect components against wear under extreme conditions.
Metco is part of the newly formed Oerlikon Surface Solutions Segment, as announced on June 3.
The company manufactures specialised carbide materials to extend component service life and improve productivity. As a result, oil and gas, mining and other industries benefit from substantial savings in time and money.
Oerlikon Metco’s vice-president and head of global marketing Dr Hans Keller said: "With rising expenses for oil and gas exploration and expectations for production companies to increase annual earnings over the next five years, it is vital that industry growth is supported by safe and reliable technologies.
"The broad choices of optimised carbide materials we offer for weld overlay and thermal spray are proven solutions for wear protection. Our clients can select tailored materials to match their specific surface needs and operating environments, so they can customise their operations and significantly reduce downtime repairs and costs."
Surfaces produced from carbide materials are the preferred protection method for parts that must withstand the effects of wear.
Oerlikon Metco produces modern carbides specifically designed to resist the harshest environments of corrosion, impact, high compressive loads, deformation, cavitations, solid particle erosion, severe abrasion and complex, combined mechanisms.
For instance, while the company designs high-quality materials in standard cobalt matrixes for best wear protection, matrixes of nickel-cobalt-chromium are available for environments that require corrosion resistance.
The type of carbide used in the material, as well as the carbide grain size, is also chosen for the specific application.
Oerlikon Metco product line manager for carbides and hard facing materials Manfred Oechsle said: "We excel at tailored combinations of carbides and matrix compositions to optimise component service life.
"The key is to design a combination with the right wear and the right corrosion resistance for the downhole formation pH and hardness."
Carbide coating solutions help operators maximise production with resilient surfaces for other applications. A typical example consists of high-pressure gate valves used in the oil and gas industry for flow diversion and safety applications. These are exposed to galling, abrasion and erosion causing leaks or faulty actuation.
Oerlikon Metco carbide coatings protect the gates and seats from damaging surface attacks, ensuring smooth actuation and safe operation.
Oerlikon Metco enhances surfaces that bring benefits to customers through a uniquely broad range of surface technologies, equipment, materials, services, specialised machining services and components.
The Oerlikon Surface Solutions Segment includes the two brands Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco. Oerlikon Balzers is one of the world’s leading suppliers of surface technologies that significantly improve the performance and durability of precision components, as well as tools for the metal and plastics processing industries.