Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC

William R Howie

David W Teale

Robert P Badrak

Michael T Smalley

Richard S Green

Structures for a tool surface of a downhole tool are constructed from a metal clay molded in a wet state. The wet state clay is a workable combination that can have a braze alloy grain, a tungsten carbide grain, and a binder. Additional cutting inserts can be embedded in the molded clay. Heat treatment applied to the molded metal clay causing the binder to be combusted and consumed. The braze alloy melts and then cools into a fused state with the tungsten carbide grain therein. The structure can affix to the tool surface of the tool by first being fused and then attached by brazing to the tool. Alternatively, the structure can be positioned in a fusible state adjacent the tool surface. When the heat treatment is applied, the structure fuses together and forms a metallurgical bond with the tool surface of the tool.

Fusible metal clay, structures formed therefrom, and associated methods

A bearing surface of an oilfield component is treated by applying a surface treatment having a low coefficient of friction to the bearing surface of the oilfield component by weld fusing an overlay of a Cu&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;Sn alloy material to the bearing surface. Weld fusing the overlay of the Cu&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;Sn alloy material to the bearing surface can involve laser surface cladding the overlay of the Cu&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;Sn alloy material to the bearing surface, gas tungsten arc welding the overlay of the Cu&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;Sn alloy material to the bearing surface, or plasma tungsten arc welding the overlay of the Cu&#x2014;Ni&#x2014;Sn alloy material to the bearing surface.

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Katy, TX, United States of America

William R Howie