Ceramics are the preferred materials for use in harsh environments because they are highly resistant to corrosion and wear. Aside from being corrosion and wear-resistant, advanced ceramics can also withstand high temperatures, pressures and other extreme conditions. Throughout this blog post, we will look at how corrosion-resistant ceramics are used in the oil and gas industries and what benefits this provides.
Oil and gas refinery. Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Applications of Ceramics
Due to their excellent properties, ceramic solutions are frequently used in several industries for high strength and corrosion-resistance applications. In the oil and gas industry, ceramic materials can be used in many products. They are often used in manufacturing pumps, transfer pipes, bushes and coupling sections, drilling tools, and wear-resistant products for drilling, exploration and processing applications.
Benefits of Ceramics
The fact that advanced ceramics are corrosion resistant makes them a safe and stable material for many applications. Aside from that, ceramics offer many other advantages that range from being light and inexpensive.
Manufacturers also choose to use advanced ceramics for the following advantages:
- Cost-effective
- Electrical insulation
- Extreme hardness
- High melting point
- Lightweight
- Resistant to chemical attacks, extreme temperatures, pressure and wear
- Thermal insulation
Components made with ceramics are far less likely to be impacted by corrosion or other damaging activities. This is because the chemical bonds in ceramics are already oxidised and, therefore, cannot be oxidised further. Compared to other materials, such as plastic or steel, modern advanced ceramics have far more beneficial properties that can be used in aerospace, gas, oil, and semiconductor applications.
Silicon nitride components. Image Credit: International Syalons (Newcastle) Ltd.
Ceramics at International Syalons
International Syalons produces and supplies advanced ceramics such as alumina, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and zirconia. As some of the most durable ceramics available, these ceramic solutions are then used to support processes in the oil and gas industry. Below we will look at some of the advanced ceramics we supply and their applications.
Syalon 050
Syalon 050 is an advanced ceramic with outstanding hardness and corrosion resistance. It can be used in processes up to 1400oC and is a suitable material for applications where erosion is likely to occur.
Syalon 050 is used to manufacture cutting tools, metering valves, shot blast nozzles.
Syalon 101
Syalon 101 is much stronger than 050 and has a unique combination of properties that make it an outstanding advanced ceramic. Those properties include corrosion resistance, hardness, high strength, toughness and wear resistance. However, it can only be used in temperatures up to 1200oC.
Products manufactured with Syalon 101 include ceramic weld rolls, extrusion dyes, milling media and paper dewatering foils.
International Syalons supplies a range of ceramic materials specifically for use in oil and gas industry applications due to their corrosion resistance and other advantageous properties. If you would like to discuss our ceramic products and how they can benefit your applications, please don’t hesitate to contact our technical sales team.
