๐ฐ The Economics of Galling Failures
Why Preventive Plating Pays for Itself
In the oilfield industry, galling is one of the most expensive “silent killers” of operational efficiency.
When galling damages a thread, connection, or tool during make-up, the financial impact can be immediate, severe, and completely avoidable.
As drilling wells become deeper, hotter, and more demanding, the cost of thread failure increases exponentially.
This is why
preventive anti-galling plating is no longer just a technical requirement — it is a financial strategy.
At
Sterling Impreglon Asia, we have seen firsthand how proper anti-galling copper Brush Plating has saved threading companies, OEMs, and drilling contractors significant money by eliminating failures before they ever occur.
โ๏ธ What Happens When Galling Occurs?
A single galling incident on a premium or non-premium thread can trigger:
- Damaged threads
- Failed make-up
- Re-cutting work
- Re-inspection
- Shipping delays
- Rejection from clients or inspectors
- Complete scrapping of the accessory
But the hidden cost is even higher: rig time.
On a live drilling operation, every hour counts — and a rejected thread that delays tool delivery can cost more than the tool itself.
๐ธ The Real Costs Behind Galling Failures
Here is what a typical galling incident can cost a threading or machining facility:
1. Thread Re-Cutting
- Technician labor
- Machine time
- Tooling wear
- Multiple QC inspections
Depending on complexity and thread type
2. Scrapped Oilfield Accessories
Premium accessories with damaged threads often cannot be salvaged.
3. Customer Penalties or Delivery Delays
Threading plants often commit to 24–72-hour turnarounds.
A galling failure means missing delivery deadlines — damaging customer trust.
Impact on business:
- Lost future orders
- Expedited shipping fees
- Rejected batches
4. Rig Downtime (The Most Expensive Cost)
If the tool is needed on the rig and fails inspection, the rig must wait.
That’s why even a one-hour delay caused by thread galling is already more costly than a full plating job for an entire batch.
๐ข๏ธ Preventive Plating Is Not a Cost — It’s an Insurance
A properly applied anti-galling copper plating layer creates a soft, lubricating barrier that:
- Prevents metal-to-metal welding
- Ensures smooth make-up
- Maintains torque control
- Protects premium and API threads
- Eliminates dimensional damage during repeated cycles
Sterling’s Brush Plating process is:
โ Qualified by VAM, JFE, Tenaris and many more
โ Proven under extreme torque cycles
โ Able to pass 200-bar high-pressure water jet adhesion tests
โ Used globally on premium & non-premium connections
This is not theory — this is field-proven reliability.
๐ฏ Why Oilfield Companies Choose Sterling
Sterling Impreglon Asia offers the oilfield industry:
- Globally approved Brush Plating process
- High-performance anti-galling copper
- Extreme adhesion strength
- Portable systems for threading and machine shops
- Training & process qualification
- Consistent quality with 35+ years of expertise
We help companies transform plating from an optional step into a financial advantage.
Sterling Impreglon Asia is your one-stop service provider — Because in the oilfield, prevention is always cheaper than failure.
