Advanced Coating Technology: Learn How Each Coating Serves a Different Purpose to Maintaining the Longevity of Your Plunger

Plunger coatings are used to preserve plunger life as well as to improve the performance and energy efficiency of centrifugal pumps. Standard Industrial Manufacturing’s goal has always been to supply long lasting plunger pump parts. Machining centrifugal pumps and fluid end expendables that can stand the test of time and various applications is challenging. High quality frac plungers depend on the environment of the application. From ceramic plungers to Tungsten Plungers, every coating serves a unique purpose for different applications and will guarantee a longer life expectancy of your pump. No matter the task, no matter the application, Standard Industrial has a specialty coating to fit your needs.

Ceramic Plungers
Ceramic plungers are made from hard ceramic that is diamond ground and honed to a smooth finish which allows for extended packing life. The density of ceramic allows the material to be heated to high temperatures, ceramic does not start to decompose until it reaches 180 °F. However, ceramic is not recommended for inconsistent temperatures or temperatures with rapid changes. Plungers with ceramic coatings are often used in corrosive conditions such as acids, saltwater, and sand since ceramic is rust resistant. Standard Industrial Manufacturing can add a ceramic coating to stainless steel plungers for specialty applications.

Hard-Co™ and Tungsten Plungers
Hard-Co™ and Tungsten Plungers are very tough and will commonly be used when wear from corrosion is the main concern and ceramic cannot be used. They are manufactured using a steel or stainless steel base material and then thermal coated with a nickel based powder. The non-porous coating helps these plungers perform well in corrosive environments. This coating combines two highly sought after features; corrosion and wear resistance on a steel plunger. Hard-Co™ and Tungsten Plungers are used in general service and specialty applications where ceramic can’t be used. Tungsten plungers are generally stainless steel plungers with a Hard-Co™ or Tungsten coating. Since these plungers have a stainless steel core and outer shell, they can endure drastic heat changes that often occur in certain drilling situations.

Chrome Oxide
Plungers with a Chrome Oxide coating can be used in chemical applications and are preferred when pumping products used to treat natural gas such as amine. Chrome oxide also has high abrasion resistance. The coating is applied by a special “high speed” spray process that provides an optimal bond of the coating to a base material. Unlike ceramic, Hard-Co™ and Tungsten Plungers are much tougher and perform well when drilling in terrain environments.

Sources Used:
Tucker, Robert C. (1986). Coatings For Centrifugal Pump Components. Turbomachinery Laboratories, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University. Retrieved from http : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /164347.

Kardys, G. (2019, February 22). Understanding ceramic pumps and pump materials. Engineering360. Retrieved from https://insights.globalspec.com/article/11231/understanding-ceramic-pumps-and-pump-materials (n.d.). Retrieved from https://global.kyocera.com/fcworld/charact/strong/hardness.html

Advanced Plunger Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2019, from https://standardpumpparts.com/advanced-plunger-technology/.