Høvik: A joint industry project (JIP) has been established to develop a guideline for the qualification of wear and corrosion protective surface materials.

The surface protective materials used in the offshore industry do not always produce the expected service behaviour. A prime reason for this is that these materials have not been subjected to an adequate qualification process.

“Such materials are used on systems which are vital for the operation of an offshore installation. It is therefore important to develop a guideline which will ensure a consistent quality of surface protective materials and thereby ensuring efficient and safe operation of the systems,” says Karl P. Fischer, Principal Engineer, DNV Technology Services.

A joint industry project has now been established to develop a guideline for the qualification of wear and corrosion protective surface materials. Its prime focus is on piston rods in hydraulic systems on offshore platforms. However, most of the recommendations given in this guideline will also be applicable for wear protective materials used on other componets, e.g. valves, rotating equipment and for drilling equipment.

“The qualification scheme will include the environmental impact. This means that the guideline will be applicable to the qualification of wear protective materials for environments that have defined corrosivity impact,” says Karl P. Fischer.

Participants in the JIP will be users, suppliers of equipment and manufacturers/users of wear protective materials; Bosch Rexroth, Transocean, Eaton Fluid Power, Hydro, National Oilwell Statoil, Scandlines, Stena Drilling, and Smedvig Offshore.