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Protect Surfaces Of Oil And Gas Drilling Components
With Non-Polluting TRU TEMP® Black Oxide Process

Protect Surfaces Of Oil And Gas Drilling Components

Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Valves, couplings, pumps and associated oil and gas drilling components take on an attractive and protective black oxide coating when treated with the TRU TEMP® low temperature black oxide process from Birchwood Casey Metal Finishes.

The TRU TEMP process is a safe, simple method for applying a high quality black oxide finish on many types of equipment used in drilling, production and refining operations. Ideal for critical parts in storage or shipment, the TRU TEMP finish protects critical surfaces against corrosion while offering break-in lubricity and anti-galling protection.

"The TRU TEMP black oxide finish is an attractive option for oil and gas equipment because of its safe, simple and non-polluting operation. It also provides excellent resistance to corrosion and galling, making it especially useful for critical surfaces that require break-in lubricity," reports Mark Ruhland, vice president for Birchwood Casey, the manufacturer. "First-time users swear by it because the process can be installed in any plant setting, without endangering personnel or surrounding equipment."

TRU TEMP solutions contain no EPA regulated chemicals, so there is usually no need for waste treatment equipment. In most installations, TRU TEMP rinse waters are sewerable as non-hazardous discharge. This benefit simplifies installation and minimizes the modest capital investment for setting up a TRU TEMP process line.

The patented TRU TEMP finish does not change critical dimensions, yet it affords robust protection from galling and corrosion without impairing fit and function, even in tight tolerance assemblies. At the same time, the TRU TEMP coating enhances overall appearance quality and sales appeal, thereby allowing critical components to be marketed as premium grade products that command higher selling prices than un-blackened, or standard grade components.

The satin black TRU TEMP finish is just 0.5 microns thick (20 millionths) with no effect on material hardness or load-bearing properties. The finish withstands up to 100-200 hours of neutral salt spray (ASTM B 117) or several hundred hours of humidity (ASTM D 1748), verified by independent testing. This high level of corrosion protection is important for both part storage and shipment in corrosive atmospheres including ocean shipment.

Compare and decide: conventional 290°F hot oxide processes have a tendency for splattering and boil-over, making them extremely hazardous to operate. Some phosphate processes operate at lower temps, but can cause hydrogen embrittlement of the steel through extended contact with acidic process baths. By contrast, the TRU TEMP solution operates at only 200° F and uses mild alkaline chemistry that does not embrittle the steel. Consequently, the TRU TEMP system is a very safe and effective option for high quality, in-house black oxiding that improves quality with a short turnaround time.

Total processing time is just 25 minutes and chemical cost averages just $.02 to .04 per pound of finished work. Small parts can be processed in bulk loads or larger parts finished on racks. Most existing tank lines can be retrofitted for TRU TEMP at low cost. New process lines are available at modest cost from Birchwood Casey, including its user-proven and fully automated CNC programmable hoist systems.