Degradable high-strength zinc compositions and method of manufacture

Abstract

A degradable, high-strength zinc composition suitable for use in producing degradable tools and components for in use in oil and gas and related application fields.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A degradable high-strength zinc alloy which includes i) at least 50 wt. % zinc, ii) a first metal additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of
 barium, calcium, cesium, lithium, potassium, sodium and strontium, ii) a second metal additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, calcium, lithium, sodium, strontium, cesium, potassium, barium, scandium, Rare Earth (RE) and yttrium, and iii) a third additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, gallium, indium, tin, lead, bismuth, germanium, strontium, nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, mercury, silver, molybdenum, indium, antimony, silicon, boron, and carbon; said first, second and third metal additives different metals; said degradable high-strength zinc alloy having a degradation rate of one or more of a) at least 5 mg/cm 2 /hr. in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C., b) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in fresh water, c) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in salt water, or d) 0.01-30 mm/day in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C.   
     
     
         29 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 0.5-15 wt. % calcium, and one or more of 0.1-45 wt. % magnesium, 2-40 wt. % aluminum, 0.1-8 wt. % copper, 0.001-5 wt. % lead, 0.05-7 wt. % tin, and 0.05-7 wt. % gallium. 
     
     
         30 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 0.5-15 wt. % calcium, and two or more of 0.1-45 wt. % magnesium, 2-40 wt. % aluminum, 0.1-8 wt. % copper, 0.001-5 wt. % lead, 0.05-7 wt. % tin, and 0.05-7 wt. % gallium. 
     
     
         31 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 0.5-15 wt. % calcium, and three or more of 0.1-45 wt. % magnesium, 2-40 wt. % aluminum, 0.1-8 wt. % copper, 0.001-5 wt. % lead, 0.05-7 wt. % tin, and 0.05-7 wt. % gallium. 
     
     
         32 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 1-15 wt. % calcium, and two or more of magnesium, aluminum, copper, lead, tin, zinc and gallium. 
     
     
         33 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 1-15 wt. % calcium, 0.1-5 wt. % tin, and one or more of magnesium, aluminum, copper, lead, and gallium. 
     
     
         34 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc, 1-15 wt. % calcium, 0.1-5 wt. % tin, and 0.1-5 wt. % gallium. 
     
     
         35 . The degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said degradable high-strength zinc alloy comprises over 50 wt. % zinc and three or more of aluminum, copper, magnesium, calcium, lead, tin, and gallium. 
     
     
         36 . A degradable tool that is at least partially formed from the degradable high-strength zinc alloy as defined in  claim 28 . 
     
     
         37 . A degradable high-strength zinc alloy which includes at least 50 wt. % zinc and 1-50 wt. % magnesium; said degradable high-strength zinc alloy having a degradation rate of one or more of a) at least 5 mg/cm 2 /hr. in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C., b) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in fresh water, c) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in salt water, or d) 0.01-30 mm/day in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C.