Effect of surface coating and tin plating on friction characteristics of P-110 tubing for different thread compounds

Design factor problems related to galling failure have become an increasing concern for deepwater offshore wells. This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted to determine friction characteristics of P-110 tubing coated with manganese phosphate and plated with tin. Six repeated tests were run to investigate the effect of lubrication type on friction characteristics of P-110 tubing by using thread compounds of API modified Threadkote-706, Shell Type-3 and Graphite/PTFE at a rotational speed of 5 rpm. In each test the bearing load was increased monotonically to a maximum value of 625 kN. The results of this study clearly indicate the importance of tin-plating in reducing the coefficient of friction.