RMSpumptools use Hiduron® 130 for the connector housing of their WellConnect Dry Mate product, drawing on its high strength, seawater corrosion resistance and excellent wear and galling resistance for a 25-year subsea design life.
The application
RMSpumptools design and manufacture a wide range of products, with a particular focus on connectors for the oil and gas industry - used for electrical and mechanical purposes across tooling, downhole and completion applications.
The WellConnect Dry Mate product connects subsea equipment such as tubing hangers and tubing hanger running tools. Its male and female connector design removes the need for offshore splicing: the female half is a field-attachable connector that joins the male part using metal-to-metal sealing. With a design life of up to 25 years in very demanding environments, material selection is critical to consistent operation.
Why Hiduron® 130
Hiduron® 130 is used for the connector housing for its combination of properties:
- very high strength for an alloy of this type, allowing efficient use of material and reducing the suspended load
- as a cupronickel, excellent resistance to corrosion by seawater and in marine atmospheres, and high resistance to crevice corrosion
- good wear and galling resistance, particularly when operating against stainless steels - a fundamental requirement for connector applications
- good anti-fouling properties, plus low temperature mechanical properties and very low magnetic permeability that benefit similar applications
With these properties, Hiduron® 130 is widely used in subsea hydraulic and electrical connectors such as flying lead connectors for stab plates, as well as in naval winches, seawater valves and more general marine engineering.
