Hardbanding is the process of depositing hardfacing alloys onto drill pipe tool joints, collars and heavy weight pipe in order to protect both the casing and drilling assets from wear associated with drilling practices. Hardbanding is most commonly applied to the box end of drill pipe tool joints using a MIG welding process, bonding the hardbanding alloy with the parent steel of the drill pipe. There are, however, other hardbanding application methods that are occasionally used including laser and plasma arc processes.
The need for hardbanding arose decades ago when drilling contractors and operators wanted a way to protect and extend the life of costly drill pipe and tool joint material from the wear associated with rotational and axial friction forces while drilling and tripping in and out of a well. Initially, tungsten-carbide particles were dropped into a mild-steel matrix, remaining the industry standard used for many years. However, well owners soon realized that while the tool joint was virtually free of wear, the tungsten-carbide based hardbanding was causing extreme rates of wear and occasional total failure of the well casing. The goal for the hardbanding industry became clear: create a hardbanding alloy that is casing-friendly while providing adequate protection of the tool joints. With the introduction in the early 1990s of Arnco 200XT, Arnco pioneered the casing-friendly hardbanding industry.
Since that time, the market has become increasingly competitive and newer, more metallurgically advanced alloys have been introduced that protect casing and drill string assets better than ever. As wells are being drilled further, faster and more directionally, new challenges arise for hardbanding alloy producers. Competitive hardbanding products must now be able to protect drilling and casing components, but also withstand increasing extreme pressures and temperatures experienced in wells today. "Staying ahead of where drilling is going" is a mantra that every hardbanding producer will have to follow in order to stay competitive. Arnco has heavily invested in recent years towards studying new and changing challenges posed by the drilling industry. The research is producing valuable and telling results that is enabling Arnco to improve existing products, as well as, work towards introducing new and innovative hardfacing alloys to protect drill pipe and casing assets like never before.
Arnco 100XT ™ delivers both adequate tool joint protection and one of the lowest casing wear factors in the industry.
Arnco 150XT ™ is our latest and most advanced crack-free, casing-friendly hardbanding.
Arnco 300XT ™ is the "third generation" of wear resistant hardbanding that combines minimal casing wear with unparalleled drill pipe tool joint protection.
The Arnco WearSleeve™ is a new class of product that will revolutionize the tool joint hardbanding industry.
