Aluminium Sockets with Carbon Steel Inserts

Industry: Subsea

Application: 

• Tightening of C-locks on subsea Pods containing electronics. Work carried out within on-shore workshop environment

Problem:

• Steel sockets are too heavy (10kgs each) for easy handling
• The contact of Carbon steel with the C-locks of the Pods causes contamination and increased risk of corrosion (the Pods need to be as clean as possible)

Solution:

• Sockets constructed of lightweight Aluminium with steel inserts

Features:

• Steel bush inserts to stop the drives wearing (reduces the 1½” square Aluminium socket to ¾”). These inserts will have no contact with the Pods
• The steel inserts are integral and semi-permanent

Benefits:

• Aluminium results in zero contamination transfer to the C-locks and pod, thereby maintaining a state of passivation. The potential for corrosion is therefore minimised
• Weight of sockets reduced from 10kgs each to 5kgs each – ease of handling