Method of hardbanding a tubular component and a tubular component hardbanded in accordance with the method

A method of hardbanding a tubular component, comprising:

• using a laser to apply a helical band of hardbanding material of a non-magnetic Ni-based matrix containing 40-80 wt. % of spherical fused or macrocrystaline tungsten carbide forming spaced coils around an exterior wear surface of a body of the tubular component, the helical band having a helix angle of 5 degrees or more, the spacing between the coils being a minimum of 18 mm, and the hard band being a minimum of 15 mm wide.

A tubular component, comprising:

• a tubular body having an exterior wear surface and a horizontal axis;
• a helical band of hardbanding material forming spaced coils around the exterior wear surface of the body, the helical band having a helix angle of 5 degrees or more, the coils having a spacing of 18 mm or more between adjacent coils.

A tubular component, comprising:

• a tubular body having an exterior wear surface and a horizontal axis;
• a helical band of hardbanding material of a non-magnetic Ni-based matrix with 40-80 wt. % of spherical fused or macrocrystalline (angular) tungsten carbide forming spaced coils around the exterior wear surface of the body, the helical band being at an angle of not less than 5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the body, the spacing between the coils being a minimum of 18 mm, and the hard band being a minimum of 15 mm wide.