Morgan Technical Ceramics to Highlight Nilcra Zirconia Ceramics at the Offshore Technology Conference
Morgan Technical Ceramics (MTC) announced that it will be showcasing Nilcra(TM) Zirconia products manufactured by its Melbourne, Australia site at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2011, May 2 to 5th 2011, at the Reliant Centre, in Houston, Texas, Booth 6704. OTC is the world's foremost event for the development of offshore resources in drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. Nilcra Zirconia ceramic is ideal for combatting wear and corrosive effects in the oil and gas production and exploration industries.
Nilcra Zirconia is a transformation toughened, partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) ceramic that is strong, tough, and highly resistant to the vast majority of chemical reagents and abrasive slurries. In addition to corrosion and abrasion resistance, the material demonstrates excellent resistance to cavitation, in which gas bubbles form in a flowing liquid where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapor pressure.
Nilcra Zirconia is used extensively in the drilling industry as liner material in mud pumps used for the extraction of drill chips from oil and gas exploration and production drill holes. The material provides superior wear resistance and increased life compared to conventional chrome-iron liners. It is the material of choice in valves, chokes and pump components used in well heads, control valves used in the oil refinery processes, and the extraction of oil from oil sands.
Pump parts and components made from Nilcra Zirconia have a life expectancy of more than a thousand hours, compared to 200 to 300 hours for traditional materials, including chrome-iron (CR/FE) liners. The increased life expectancy improves safety and decreases the pump's lifetime operational costs. Nilcra Zirconia valves are long-lasting and can be replaced during a planned shutdown for annual maintenance, which is not the case for metal valves that are likely to wear out much sooner, leading to production down time or potential safety issues.
"OEMs seeking to increase the lifetime of fluid slurry liquid pumping equipment are turning to ceramic over traditional materials," said Stuart Pratt, sales and marketing manager for MTC Australia. "Industries with controlled processes are seeking more reliable parts to ensure fewer instances of loss of containment. The abrasive nature of the sand in the oil pumps reduces the life of pressure reduction chokes and valves that control the flow, and that is why many are moving towards the use of ceramics and other advanced materials."
Nilcra Zirconia is also widely used in the chemical industry for pumping and controlling slurries and mixtures of chemical and solid particles.
For further information, please contact:
Kristin Nugent, 617-367-0100 x148
kristin.nugent@mgr1.com
Lorraine Henry, Tel +44 (0)1299 872217
lorraine.henry@morganplc.com
About Morgan Technical Ceramics
Morgan Technical Ceramics manufactures components and sub-assemblies using an extensive range of materials, including structural and piezoelectric ceramics, dielectrics, braze alloys, and specialist coatings. It works with manufacturers' design and R&D teams at local, national and international level on projects from concept and feasibility studies through prototype development to full production. The business employs some 2,500 people and has 23 manufacturing sites worldwide across Europe, the US, Mexico, China and Australia.
Morgan Technical Ceramics is a business within the Morgan Ceramics Division of The Morgan Crucible Company plc, one of the world's leading advanced materials companies. The company specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of ceramic and carbon products which are used in a wide range of applications, from transport and telecommunications to fire protection and medical instruments. Morgan Crucible is listed on the London Stock Exchange in the engineering sector.
For more information on Morgan Technical Ceramics visit www.morgantechnicalceramics.com or contact one of our sales offices below:
Europe
Morgan Technical Ceramics, Bewdley Road, Stourport, Worcestershire, DY13 8QR.
Tel +44 (0)1299 872210 Fax +44 (0)1299 872218
Email mtcuksales@morganplc.com
North America
Morgan Technical Ceramics, 26 Madison Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004, USA
Tel +1 800 433 0638 Fax: +1 973 227 7135
Email mtcussales@morganplc.com
Asia
Morgan Technical Ceramics, Dingshu Town, Yixing City 214221, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China
Tel +86 21 59 90 61 39 Fax +86 21 59 90 61 27
Email mtccnsales@morganplc.com
