NITROGEN- AND CERAMIC-SURFACE-TREATED COMPONENTS FOR DOWNHOLE MOTORS AND RELATED METHODS

摘要

Downhole tools for earth-boring applications may include a component of a steel material and including a bore. An inner surface defining the bore may be treated with a surface treatment. The surface treatment may include a nitrided region having nitrogen diffused into the steel material and a ceramic material adjacent to the nitrided region; the ceramic material defining the inner surface. Methods of making downhole tools for earth-boring applications may involve exposing a component of the downhole tool to an elevated temperature to heat the component in a nitrogen-rich environment. Nitrogen may be diffused into a steel material of the component and a nitrided region may be formed at one or more surfaces of the component. A ceramic material may be coated on the nitrided region of the component.

主权项

1. A downhole tool for use in earth-boring applications, comprising:
an inner bore extending at least partially through a component of the downhole tool, the inner bore being defined by an inner surface of the component, the component comprising a steel material; wherein the inner surface comprises a surface treatment comprising:
a nitrided region having nitrogen diffused into the steel material, the nitrided region comprising:
a first portion, the first portion exhibiting a first concentration of nitrogen; anda second portion adjacent to the first portion, the second portion exhibiting a second, lower concentration of nitrogen; anda ceramic material adjacent to the first portion of the nitrided region on a side of the first portion opposite the second portion of the nitrided region, the ceramic material defining the interior surface of the component.