MIC AND THE OIL, GAS AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Metal Improvement Company (MIC) are specialists in enhancing the performance and extending the life of highly critical engineered metals and materials which are subject to harsh and extreme conditions typically found within the oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

The services we offer form an integral part of the manufacturing process for highly engineered products and by extending plant and equipment life we reduce maintenance and whole life costs.

The premature failure of many components can be directly related to residual tensile stresses induced by manufacturing methods and unexpected service conditions.

We can alter these undesirable manufacturing and operational stresses to life enhancing residual compressive stresses therefore extending component life.

In addition, through the development and use of dry film lubricants, wet polymer coatings as well as bespoke and standard coatings (including licensed products) we are able to protect against corrosion and wear, improve part life and reduce maintenance costs.

Go to:Typical failures | Providing solutions | Applications

Download Oil, Gas and Petrochemical brochure

Questions?

If you would like to ask us a question regarding oil, gas and petrochemical applications, please use our contact form. Alternatively, view our global locations page to see where we operate.

MIC services

Controlled shot peening

Peen forming

Laser peening

C.A.S.E™ Isotropic finishing

Engineered coatings

Peenflex protective mouldings

Peentex architectural finishes

On-site processing

Read about critical protection from material failures

Typical failure modes and applications

Typical failure modes are:

Metal fatigue
Corrosion fatigue
Corrosion
Stress corrosion cracking
Fretting
Galling
Spalling
Wear

These failures account for more service and maintenance stoppages than any other issue relating to engineered components.

Applications:

All rotating components where life improvement is desired
Gas turbine generator sets
Steam turbine and diesel driven generator sets
Turbo expander sets
Air cooled heat exchangers and fans
Centrifugal and HP fluid pumps
Compressors
Control and safety valves
Drill collars and drill string components
Welded parts, assemblies and structures
Containers, holding and pressure vessels
Angel hair reduction caused by friction at the wall of transfer piping

Go to: Protection from material failures

Protection from material failures

Fatigue
Fatigue is defined as: cumulative, localised and permanent damage caused by repeated fluctuations of stress, sometimes below the static design stress of the structure. Shot peening the finished part to remove the residual tensile stresses caused by manufacture significantly reduces the applied load/stress which can extend the life and strength of the component significantly.

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC)
SCC is a phenomenon characterised by deep fissuring of the surface and occurs when a susceptible alloy in contact with a corrosive environment is subjected to a sustained tensile stress which may be well below the elastic limit of the material. SCC can be avoided if tensile stresses resulting from manufacture or in-service use, are converted to compressive stresses by shot peening.

Extending the life of welded components
The residual tensile stress from welding is created because the weld consumable is applied in its molten state, when it is at its maximum heat and expansion. It then bonds to the base material. As the weld cools rapidly, it is unable to shrink because it has already bonded to the cooler, stronger base material. The net result is a weld that is essentially being "stretched" by the base material and residual tensile stresses result.

Welded structures whether new or repaired can be shot peened to convert tensile stresses to compressive thus extending the life of the structures.

Corrosion fatigue
Corrosion fatigue is the failure of components in corrosive environments associated with cyclic applied loading. The failure mechanism is similar to that of SCC but is driven by the cyclic application of tensile stress rather than by a sustained tensile stress. Shot peening surfaces to introduce compressive stresses can extend component life considerably.

Engineered coatings for pumps and valves
MIC is the leading developer and applicator of engineered coatings to solve problems caused by the aggressive environments in which pumps and valves operate particularly in the oil and gas industry.
Coatings can be applied that address service conditions, including wear, corrosion, erosion, seizing, steam and extreme temperatures (-420°F to 1800°F/-251°C to 982°C), as well as applicable aesthetic standards.

Go to: Typical failures and applications