Issues with Corrosion Resistant Alloy Tubular Goods
 1. 1996 IADC/SPE Paper 36386
   a. "Conventional spider & elevator inserts cause die marks than support corrosion. "
 2. 1998 IADC/SPE Paper 47789
   a. "Slips and Tongs produce permanent marks on pipe body & tool joints. Such marks
     develop high stress concentrations that reduces strength of pipe."
 3. ISO13680 2000-07-01 Corrosion Resistant Alloy Seamless Tubes for use and casing, tubing & coupling stock
   a. 8.6.1.3 Any imperfection on the outside or inside surface, of any orientation, shall be
     considered a defect if:
     i. it is linear and deeper than 5% of the specified wall thickness or 0.3mm (0.12
       inches), whichever is greater, in the radial direction;
     ii. it is linear or non-linear and results in a remaining wall thickness of less than
       87.5% of the specified wall thickness for hot finished productions and 90% for
       cold-worked products.
   b. 15.2 The supplier's handling system shall be designed to avoid any type of damage to
     the tubes during transit. The use of hooks or similar lifting equipment in the ends of pipes,
     and for materials in Groups 2 to 4, contact with ferrous metallic materials shall be
     prohibited.
 4. NACE International 2002 revision to RP0291-96
   a. 10.1 "CRA materials are more susceptible to damage than carbon steel materials"
   b. 10.2 "Ferrous contamination of CRA materials shall be avoided. Some CRA materials
     e.g. UNS S41000 are susceptible to pitting corrosion if exposed to ferrous (iron or carbon
     steel materials.) Pipe wrenches, pry pars, turning forks, chains, wire brushes, or other
    carbon steel tools or equipment shall not be used for handling, processing, or storing
     CRA materials."
 5. 2002 IADC/SPE 77243
   a. "Slippages of "SUPER" or "HYPER" Chrome alloys have been reported by field
     personnel. These slippages occurred with various inserts and with all types of slip-type
     elevators or spiders. An investigation carried out by the University of Hannover revealed
     that the surface scale on the pipe had a hardness of over 60 Rc."
   b. Conventional heat-treated inserts for handling tools and tongs have a hardness range of
     58 to 62 Rc.
 6. API Specification 5CT, seventh edition October 21, 2001 and ISO11960:2001 April 1, 2002 define specifications for pipe used in oil & gas wells including L-80 13% Cr
   a. 8.13 External defects in tubes cannot exceed maximum of 12.5% to 5% of wall thickness
     based on grade or maximum of 0.015 to 0.010 inches in critical areas of upset tubular
     goods
   b. 9.14.5 External imperfections including grip marks on couplings cannot exceed depth
     maximum of 0.025 to 0.040 inches based on OD of tubulars
   c. SR2 Supplemental Requirements for examination of grades H40, J55, K55, N80, L80,
     C95 and P110: imperfections greater than 5% of wall are defects requiring disposition in
     accordance with 10.15.16

GRIT FACE^™ DIES and INSERTS
Superior Manufacturing & Hydraulics, and its sister company, Precision Die Technologies have adopted the standard being used by several premium pipe manufacturers that defines 4.5% of wall thickness as a maximum allowable surface indentation for normal tubular gripping applications. The greatest indention depth documented in testing to date is 3.54% with typical depths ranging from 1.45% to 2.9%.

The benefits of the GRIT FACE^™ Coating for tong dies and handling tool inserts includes:
 PROTECTS TUBULARS
   Minimal Marking
     Typical indention depth of 0.004 to 0.006 inches
     Indentions are typically less than ½ of API allowable surface defect depth
   Indentions are in a random scattered pattern
     Eliminates linear stress risers know to reduce fatigue life and pipe strength
   Gripping Surface is manufactured using exotic materials
     Precision manufacturing process provides uniform coated surface with optimal
     dimensional control
     Tungsten Carbide particles are graded for size and shape
     Nickel Chrome brazing material applied in vacuum furnace
     Prevents creation of pits containing iron or steel which can contaminate the
     surface of CRA tubulars causing rapid premature corrosion failures
 PROVIDES INCREASED PERFORMANCE
   Gripping capacity is better than "non-marking" systems
     Tongs offer higher torque capabilities
     Handling tools do not require preloading
   High hardness of coating components (approx 92 HRA) grips "Super" and "Hyper" chrome
     alloys oxide coatings more effectively than carburized teeth (both are approx 62 HRC)
 FIELD PROVEN
   Used to run most CRA tubulars in North Sea since 1997 now used worldwide
   Used on tubulars from 1.06" to 13 3/8"
   Heaviest string run to date weighs in excess of 250 tons
   Heaviest lab test to date 400 tons on 7"-35PPF 22% Cr 125ksi tubing
   Used with expandable tubulars
 ECONOMIC
   Used with standard handling tools
     Over 155 GRIT FACE^™ Inserts are available for almost every handling tool and safety
     clamp
     Eliminates need for specially adapted equipment for CRA strings
     Increases utilization of handling tool inventory
   Field usage shows GRIT FACE^™ Dies and Inserts last longer than hardened steel dies and
     inserts used with high strength tubulars
   Decreases operation time, reduces operator fatigue and enhances safety of operations
     Does not require "sandpaper" to be replaced at each
     connection
     Operators are not reaching into tools at each connection

Gripping Mechanisms used in tongs, slips and elevators for oilfield tubulars including tubing, casing and drill pipe
Three basic mechanisms used are:
Friction based non-penetrating gripping using smooth faced elastomeric, semi
metallic or soft metal dies
   maximum load transfers are dependent upon applied radial loads and coefficient of
     friction
   radial loads maybe limited by tubular collapse resistance or elastomer extrusion
     resistance
   may require specialized tongs, slips or elevators
Interference grip using dies with hardened gripping patterns embedding in softer
tubes
   maximum load transfers are dependent upon applied radial loads, gripping pattern, depth
     of penetration, and shear strength of materials used in die and tubular
   die mark depths can be significant in softer tubulars at high loads leaving stress riser
     patterns
   initial "bite" on high strength tubulars can be difficult to achieve and require "preloading"
     conventional die materials can contaminate CRA tubulars resulting in aggressive
     corrosion failures
   No-go style handling tools and tongs
     limited upset tool joints, coupled connections or forged sucker rod connections
     limited by ultimate weight carrying capacity, shock loading, special considerations
     required for CRA tubular goods