Imputing strength gradient in pressure vessels
View Patent ↗A process to manufacture an oilfield component comprises selectively reinforcing a base material with an age-hardenable clad material and age-hardening the clad material for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile, wherein the age-hardening results in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient. A body of a ram blowout preventer comprises, a low-ally base material, a vertical bore through the body, and a horizontal bore through the body intersecting the vertical bore, wherein at least a portion of the body is selectively reinforced with a clad material, and wherein the clad material is age-hardened for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile resulting in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient.
1. A process to manufacture an oilfield component, the process comprising:
selectively reinforcing a base material with an age-hardenable clad material; and
age-hardening the clad material for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile;
wherein the age-hardening results in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient;
wherein the base material comprises a snap-tempered forging;
the process further comprising finish tempering the oilfield component at a selected time and a selected temperature to temper the base material and age harden the clad material; and
wherein the age hardening comprises selectively heating at least a portion of the clad material such that the clad material age-hardens and the base material remains below a tempering temperature of the base material.
2. The process of claim 1 , further comprising:
analyzing a first model of the oilfield component;
identifying regions of high stress concentration in the first model at a selected loading condition;
constructing the oilfield component; and
wherein the selectively reinforcing comprises selectively reinforcing the identified regions of high stress concentration corresponding to the constructed oilfield component.
3. The process of claim 2 , further comprising determining a minimum strength requirement at a particular depth.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the strength gradient comprises a minimum strength at a particular depth.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the clad material develops a yield strength of at least 135 ksi at a surface of the clad material.
6. The process of claim 5 , wherein the clad material develops a yield strength of at least 120 ksi at a depth of about 0.375 inches.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the clad material develops a yield strength of at least 120 ksi at a depth of about 0.375 inches.