METHODS FOR APPLYING WEAR-REDUCING MATERIAL TO TOOL JOINTS

摘要

A method for applying wear-reducing material (78) to a tool joint (76) useful in a wellbore in drilling operations, the method, in at least certain aspects, including positioning the tool joint (76) adjacent laser beam apparatus (79), delivering wear-reducing material (78) to a location on the tool joint (76) to which the wear-reducing material (78) is to be applied, heating the wear-reducing material (78) with the laser beam apparatus (79) to a temperature not exceeding its melting temperature so that the wear-reducing material (78) is welded to the tool joint (76) . In one particular aspect, a defocused laser beam (80) is used to achieve desired heating temperatures; and in one aspect, defocusing the laser so no plasma is formed.