Q: What type of parts are used for oil & gas companies?
A: A wide variety of parts are used including heavy-duty parts that need to withstand difficult environments such as offshore weather and saltwater along with high temperatures and heavy abrasion. Many high temperature alloys, stainless steels and surface treated c.r. steel (cold rolled) are common choices. Other popular choices are Titanium, Molybdenum and many more.
Q: Is Aluminum [Aluminium] used much?
A: Not too much (see previous question) but when it can be used it is great because it is readily available which means lead times are short and prices are more affordable. The material can be damaged is salty environments and with heavy-duty abrasion.
Q: How should I specify the packaging?
A: Parts can be double-bagged and vacuum packed or sprayed with a lubricant such as WD-40 to protect. An oily coating is not usually recommended unless the metal is inferior or susceptible by nature such as mild steel or if the working environment is very harsh or if the items are expected to be stored dock-side for an extended period of time.
Q: What type of plastics can be used for energy projects?
A: Many plastics can be used if the application if not at a very high temperature. Plastics can be coated and made to act like metal. For example, many solar panels are plastic and have some metals on the surface. Plastic is nice due to light weight, affordability and other advantages. Some common "plastics" are nylon, fiberglass, Torlon, polypro, ABS, PVC and others. Nylon is least suitable but can be investigated for certain uses.
Q: What metal should I specify?
A: Common metals are steel, stainless, aluminum. Other metals can be a bit more costly. If affordability is not an issue, consider titanium, Robar, copper 101, silver, gold and platinum. Of course, the precious metals are mainly for coatings. Robar is not very suitable for contact with crude or most alternative energy systems such as fuel cells except in locations outside of the "working zone".
Q: What is a good resource for learning and growing one's knowledge related to fuel cells?
A: One such resource which has many highly technical articles related to the specific details of fuel cells is Vacuum & Coating Technology, a monthly high-tech publication. This very same journal also covers solar energy applications and experiments.
Q: Is niobium a material used in the nuclear energy industry?
A: Yes, niobium (also known as columbium) has the low thermal neutron capture cross-section required for nuclear applications. Nb/1% Zr is used in nuclear reactors as the tubing for the fuel pellets because of its resistance to neutron bombardment.
Q: What kind of items are made from niobium?
A: reaction vessels, columns, bayonet heaters, shell and tube heat exchangers, U-tubes, thermocells, spargers, rupture diaphragms and orifices.
Q: Can niobium be used with lithium?
A: Niobium is resistant to molten lithium under 1000 deg C but niobium cannot be used in air at temperatures over 200 deg C.
Q: Is niobium ductile? I am considering swaging an ingot of niobium at room temperature.
A: Yes, an ingot can be easily forged, rolled or swaged at r.t.
Q: How to prepare niobium for welding?
A: An acid pickle wash is recommended. For ambient temperature pickiling, a typical solution is 25-35% HF, 25-33% HNO2 with the balance H20. Run coupons first to determine rate of action. Remove .1 mil in most cases.
Q: Where can I find a typical analysis for refractory metals in tabular form?
A: Good question. See a table (Table 1) below.
| Element |
Maximum % Molybdenum |
Maximum % Tungsten |
Maximum % Tantalum |
Maximum % Niobium |
| Aluminium | 0.001 | 0.002 | -- | 0.005 |
| Calcium | 0.003 | 0.003 | -- | -- |
| Chromium | 0.005 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Copper | 0.001 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Iron | 0.005 | 0.003 | 0.010 | 0.01 |
| Lead | 0.002 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Magnesium | 0.001 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Molybdenum | 99.95 Min | -- | 0.010 | 0.01 |
| Manganese | 0.001 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Nickel | 0.001 | 0.003 | 0.005 | 0.005 |
| Silicon | 0.003 | 0.002 | 0.005 | 0.005 |
| Tin | 0.003 | 0.002 | -- | -- |
| Titanium | 0.002 | 0.002 | 0.005 | -- |
| Tantalum | -- | -- | 99.90 Min | 0.2 |
| Tungsten | -- | 99.95 Min | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Carbon | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.0075 | 0.01 |
| Oxygen | -- | -- | 0.02 | 0.025 |
| Nitrogen | -- | -- | 0.0075 | 0.01 |
| Hydrogen | -- | -- | 0.0001 | 0.0015 |
| Niobium | -- | -- | 0.05 | 99.9 |
Updated: 13 FEB 2015
GO BACK