Coatings for wellbore tools, components having such coatings, and related methods

Abstract

A component of a wellbore tool comprises a plurality of compartments disposed over a body of the component and a coating disposed over at least a portion of a surface of the body. Each compartment comprises a healing agent formulated to form or catalyze the formation of a barrier upon release from the compartment. A matrix material separates the plurality of compartments. Methods of forming wellbore tools include forming a body, forming a plurality of capsules, and forming a coating comprising the capsules over the body. Methods of utilizing a wellbore tool in a subterranean borehole include contacting at least a portion of a body with a fluid comprising a healing agent formulated to form a barrier. Coatings for wellbore tools include a fiber comprising a plurality of discrete cells and a matrix material contacting and at least partially surrounding the fiber. Each cell comprises a healing agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coating for a wellbore tool, comprising:
 a fiber comprising a plurality of discrete cells, each cell comprising a healing agent; and   a matrix material contacting and at least partially surrounding the fiber;   wherein the healing agent is formulated to form a barrier upon release from the fiber.   
     
     
         2 . The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the cells are separated by walls of solid material formed by subjecting a portion of the healing agent to UV irradiation. 
     
     
         3 . The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber further comprises an encapsulating material at least substantially surrounding the healing agent, the encapsulating material configured to retain the healing agent until the coating is damaged and to release at least a portion of the healing agent when the coating is damaged.