Effect of a titanium nitride interlayer on the densification, properties and microstructure of cermets based on alumina and nickel — Part 2: Microstructures
SEM microstructural analyses in conjunction with EDX and TEM microstructural analyses have been conducted with cermets based on nickel and alumina, the latter as such and with a chemical-vapour-deposited titanium nitride layer. It has been proved that there is excellent bonding at both the Al2O3/TiN and the TiN/Ni interface, whereas Al2O3 and Ni do not adhere to each other. This is the reason for the observation that the mechanical properties as well as the densification of cermets consisting of Al2O3 and Ni are enhanced by applying a TiN interlayer between the ceramic phase and the metallic phase.
Effect of a titanium nitride interlayer on the densification, properties and microstructure of cermets based on alumina and nickel — Part 1: Densification and properties
In order to manufacture cermets based on Al2O3 and Ni, Al2O3 particles were first coated with TiN by CVD and then mixed with pure Ni powder. The cermets were produced from the mixed powders by powder metallurgy processes. The relative density and the mechanical properties of the cermets are improved due to the presence of the TiN interlayer. The contribution of this interlayer to the mechanical properties of the cermets produced by hot-pressing is superior to that by pressureless sintering.
Prevention of Barite Sag in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids Using a Mixture of Barite and Ilmenite as Weighting Material
Drilling high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) wells requires a special fluid formulation that is capable of controlling the high pressure and is stable under the high downhole temperature. Barite-weighted fluids are common for such purpose because of the good properties of barite, its low cost, and its availability. However, solids settlement is a major problem encountered with this type of fluids, especially at elevated downhole temperatures. This phenomenon is known as barite sag, and it is encountered in vertical and directional wells under static or dynamic conditions leading to serious well control issues. This study aims to evaluate the use of barite-ilmenite mixture as a weighting agent to prevent solids sag in oil-based muds at elevated temperatures. Sag test was conducted under static conditions (vertical and inclined) at 350 °F and under dynamic conditions at 120 °F to determine the optimum ilmenite concentration. Afterward, a complete evaluation of the drilling fluid was performed by monitoring density, electrical stability, rheological and viscoelastic properties, and filtration performance to study the impact of adding ilmenite on drilling fluid performance. The results of this study showed that adding ilmenite reduces sag tendency, and only 40 wt.% ilmenite (from the total weighting material) was adequate to eliminate barite sag under both static and dynamic conditions with a sag factor of around 0.51. Adding ilmenite enhanced the rheological and viscoelastic properties and the suspension of solid particles in the drilling fluid, which confirmed sag test results. Adding ilmenite slightly increased the density of the drilling fluid, with a slight decrease in the electrical stability within the acceptable range of field applications. Moreover, a minor improvement in the filtration performance of the drilling fluid and filter cake sealing properties was observed with the combined weighting agent. The findings of this study provide a practical solution to the barite sag issue in oil-based fluids using a combination of barite and ilmenite powder as a weighting agent to drill HPHT oil and gas wells safely and efficiently with such type of fluids.