Understanding the Performance of WC-Based Cermet Coatings In Oil And Gas Applications

Many types of tungsten carbide/metal cermet coatings have been developed by alloying with different chemical elements, in an attempt to enhance corrosion and even erosion-corrosion resistance of coatings produced by the high velocity oxygen fuel process.  This thermal spray technology for industrial applications, for example oil and gas industries, is expanding. High velocity oxygen fuel tungsten carbide coatings have been accepted as a technology to resist severe material degradation. However, there is still a lack of understanding of how they behave in corrosion environment particularly in combined erosion-corrosion environments, and also how the different alloys for the binder/matrix affect performance. In this project the galvanic series and the erosion-corrosion behaviour of three types of tungsten carbide coatings in simulated oil and gas industry environments are assessed.  The ultimate goal is to have an understanding of how optimum choice of coating for a given application can be made for applications in the oil and gas industry.