Materion Corporation (NYSE:MTRN), an advanced materials solutions provider, recently introduced a new oilfield coupling that is designed to significantly reduce failures in wells that are prone to extreme rod string buckling and wear deep in wells. The new ToughMet® 3 Valve Rod Guide Bushing Coupling (VRGB) is engineered to prevent tubing leaks by reducing metal-on-metal contact that results in tubing wear, a frequent cause of production interruptions in artificial lift systems.

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ToughMet VRGB Couplings (Photo: Business Wire)

ToughMet VRGB Couplings (Photo: Business Wire)

The new VRGB coupling, which connects the rod string to the pump drive rod, restricts the valve rod bushing from coming in direct contact with production tubing due to its thick-bodied design. ToughMet material is a low friction alloy, and therefore preserves adjacent production tubing and minimizes the risk of tubing leaks. In addition, the coupling can withstand high impact loads from rod buckling.

Made of ToughMet 3 TS95 alloy, a highly durable non-galling, spinodal bronze made of copper, nickel and tin, the material has a proven record in harsh, demanding environments. Because of its low friction properties, it is widely used for onshore and offshore drilling equipment components, sucker rod couplings, bearings in aircraft landing gear and industrial and mining equipment parts. Materion’s ToughMet 3 TS95 alloy is the strongest coupling material available that mitigates coupling-on-tubing wear.

“Multiple customers have shared data showing very positive results that they’re getting with our ToughMet VRGB coupling,” said William Nielsen, V.P./General Manager, Materion Performance Alloys and Composites. “This new coupling uses the same ToughMet alloy that has been proven to increase run times and production when used for sucker rod couplings in deviated wells in the Bakken, Permian and other shale plays. It tackles an additional need we identified when testing the sucker rod couplings with Hess Corp. and will offer our customers one more option for lowering their overall production costs.”

About Materion:

Materion Corporation is headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, supplies highly engineered advanced enabling materials to global markets. Our unique product portfolio includes high performance alloys, beryllium products, clad metal strip, composite metals, ceramics, inorganic chemicals, microelectronics packaging materials, precision optics, thin film coatings and thin film deposition materials.

Materion, the Materion logo and ToughMet are registered marks of Materion Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Learn more about Materion at (http://materion.com/About).

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