Sean L. Gaudette

Experimental Characterization and Modeling of Shape Memory Material for Downhole Completion Applications

Shape memory materials have promising applications in the oil and gas industry. A series of downhole completion applications based on this technology are under investigation at the Baker Hughes Center for Technology Innovation (CTI). The characterization of the shape memory materials, especially the time-dependent aspects of the material behavior, is critical for optimized product design, manufacturing and intended long-term applications. During manufacturing stage, rate-dependent hyperelastic behavior may be characterized by a series of potential functions, and shape memory behavior may be modeled through thermal effects or thermoviscoelastic effects. Thus, rate-dependent characterization tests were performed to determine the constants in the potential functions. For temperature- and rate-dependent shape recovery and stress recovery, experimental tests are critical for developing material models. In this paper, a brief review of different potential functions and shape memory models are presented and corresponding characterization results are discussed to facilitate further material modeling. In one of our targeted downhole completion applications, such information may be used for optimized product design and downhole performance prediction.