Oil and gas equipment is in constant use putting up with outside factors such as pressure, heat, corrosive fluids and abrasive particulates. When a component fails, if has serious implications on production. The fix isn’t always to buy a new part. Often, it’s better hard chrome plating or electroless nickel plating. Let’s take a further look.
Hard chrome plating and electroless nickel plating for oil and gas applications have proven themselves to be useful for many years. They protect cylinders, manifolds, piston rods and valve components from the conditions that degrade unprotected metal. If done with expertise, these plating solutions can extend service life and cut the cost of repairs.
Hard Chrome Plating is Made to Last
Hard chrome plating is the standard for parts that grind, slide and wear such as piston rods, hydraulic cylinders and crankshafts. These components need a surface that can take constant mechanical contact without breaking down.
Hard chrome plating delivers a Rockwell C hardness of 68–72. It has a low coefficient of friction and holds oil which reduces seal wear and energy loss. It also builds up worn surfaces back to original dimensions.
Electroless Nickel Plating is the Answer for Corrosion
Corrosion is a different problem. H2S, CO2, saltwater, chemical exposure just doesn’t wear parts down, it eats through them. Electroless nickel plating is the solution to protect against these attacks on metal.
Electroless nickel plating uses a chemical reaction instead of electrical current. That means the coating goes on evenly whether its inside blind holes, around various shapes and across complex manifolds.
Electroless nickel plating is commonly applied to ball valves, pump housings, pipe fittings and packers.
A 2022 review published in Corrosion Reviews (De Gruyter, Vol. 40, Issue 1, DOI: 10.1515/corrrev-2020-0091) confirmed that phosphorus content and coating uniformity are the key drivers of corrosion protection in electroless Ni-P coatings. High-phosphorus deposits performed best in chloride-rich and chemically aggressive environments — exactly the conditions found in oil and gas operations.
Repair and Restoration
Worn piston rods, scored bores, and damaged manifold surfaces can often be plated back to spec. Precise build-up, re-grinding and finishing can return the component back to their original tolerances.
EN-CHRO Plating’s services can be especially useful offshore or in remote locations. Lead times for replacement parts can be as long as a year and most companies can’t afford to have downtime. EN-CHRO Plating can turn a repair around faster than a new part ships.
Let EN-CHRO Keep You Up and Running
Proper plating is a necessity for the oil and gas industry. It protects your equipment, extends service intervals, and avoids the cost of emergency shutdowns.
EN-CHRO Plating specialize in hard chrome and electroless nickel plating for the oil and gas industry. We’re here to help keep you up and running. Contact us and let’s talk about what you need.