Benefits of Surface Coatings in the Oil & Gas Space

As gas and oil are ever-present in the modern industrialized world, protecting the equipment used by players in this space is critical. Protective layers coating can prevent surfaces from getting damaged by harsh environments. And in the process, these measures help prolong the equipment’s lifespan and preserve its functionality.

Electroless Nickel Plating

One of the most used coating types is electroless nickel plating (ENP). In this method, nickel based alloy coatings are evenly applied and deposited onto metal substrates through a chemical reduction process. Coating uniformity is the primary reason why this option is popular across various industries.

Facilities that provide large electroless plating services are particularly in-demand because they can coat oil and gas pipes, equipment, and barrel surfaces, which are generally bigger in size and surface area.

Why Invest In Surface Coatings

Here’s how the oil and gas space benefits from surface coatings.

Protection against corrosion

One benefit that metal plating for piping gives is the ability to fight corrosion. Corrosion is the deterioration of metal due to exposure to moisture, air, water, oxygen, or chemicals. It can occur naturally or through human activities. When exposed to corrosive elements, metals may start to oxidize and rust, affecting a machine's longevity and performance.

Temperature resistance

Oil and gas machinery is exposed to high temperatures. This extreme heat and frequent fluctuation in temperatures can wreak havoc on the machine’s surfaces, pipes, and other components. Surface coatings give provide resistance to damaging temperatures they need to combat wear and tear from environmental stimuli.

Chemical resistance

Players in the oil and gas space often encounter premature wear and tear of equipment because of the chemical corrosion that their equipment is exposed to. In order to counter the costly consequences of chemical erosion, it’s important to give surfaces the proper armor they need minimize the corrosive effects of some chemicals. Not all surface coatings resist harsh chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Your industrial metal plating service can suggest what protective coatings to use based upon what chemicals your equipment will be exposed to.

Overcoming abrasion

Many companies in the oil and gas sector seek large electroless plating services to protect their machines from abrasion. It’s a given that the kind of environment they’re in is harsh and demanding. Daily wear and tear on drilling pipes and storage barrels is not surprising. And the different methods involved in oil and gas processes (e.g., drilling, extracting) can damage equipment and component surfaces just from constant friction. Ni-carb coating and electroless plating solutions can help prevent these metal surfaces. ENP, in particular, enhances lubricity. This means that it creates less friction when a surface comes in contact with another substrate, reducing surface scarring.

Enhanced surface hardness

Wear resistant steel coatings don’t just protect substrates from corrosion. They provide the additional hardness needed for machinery to survive the taxing oil and gas environment. If you choose ENP as your coating option, your equipment can even reach about 90% of chromium’s hardness. This hardness can help your machines withstand immense pressure and ultimately prolong their period of cost-effective usability.