Effect of some material, manufacturing, and operating variables on the friction coefficient in OCTG connections

Results are presented from an experimental study conducted to determine friction coefficient behavior in OCTG connections. The study was conducted using the OCTG friction and galling tester at Texas Tech University. The tester employs tubular pin and box specimen pairs fabricated from 73-mm (2 7/8 in.) diameter OCTG tubing. Friction coefficient was determined for test specimens made of material grades L80 and J55 at loads of up to 620 kN (140,000 lb) acting on a surface area of up to 645 mm squared (1 in. squared) with sliding velocities of 0.53 and 1.78 cm/s (1 and 3.5 ft/min), and nominal surface roughnesses of 0.37, 1.2, and 1.5 micron (15, 47, and 60 micro-in.) Ra. An API Modified thread compound was used for all tests. When plotted versus the applied load, the friction coefficient behavior is seen to be highly nonlinear. In addition to load, the variables of sliding velocity, material, and surface roughness are shown to have an effect. Preliminary experiments show that the test surface geometry also has a significant effect on the friction coefficient.