Sucker Rod &

Connection Failures
Sucker rods and connections can be caused to fail prematurely. Understanding how to identify
failures and their contributing factors allows for an understanding of what is required to correct the
failure cause. Since the location of the failure and the failure cause are often interrelated, knowing
where the failure occurred is an important first step in identifying potential causes. It is as important
to identify and record the specific failure location as it is to record the failure depth.

A. Wrench Square
abrasive-wear, corrosion-abrasion, corrosion-fatigue,
erosion-corrosion, material defects, mechanical damage,
and workmanship defects A

B. Upset Taper
abrasive-wear, bent-rods, corrosion-abrasion, B
corrosion-fatigue, erosion-corrosion, material defects,
mechanical damage, unidirectional bending-stress,
and workmanship defects C

C. Rod Body-to-Upset Transition D

bent rods, material defects, mechanical damage,
unidirectional bending-stress (i.e., “shock Loads”),
and workmanship defects

D. Rod Body
abrasive-wear, bent-rods, corrosion-abrasion,
corrosion-fatigue, erosion-corrosion, material defects,
mechanical damage, rotational bending, stress-fatigue,
torsional loading, unidirectional bending-stress,
and workmanship defects

Continued on next page

 Sucker Rod &
Connection Failures
continued from previous page

A. Chamfer
application (if split), and torsional loading
(if split and/or flared)

B. One-third/two-thirds
abrasive-wear, corrosion-abrasion, corrosion-fatigue,
erosion-corrosion, loss of displacement, material defect, A
mechanical damage, thread galling, torsional loading,
tubing-slap wear, and workmanship defect
B
C. Midlength
abrasive-wear; alternating-bending; corrosion-abrasion,
corrosion-fatigue, erosion-corrosion, material defect, C
mechanical damage, stress-fatigue, tubing-slap wear,
unidirectional bending-stress, and workmanship defect

D. Threads D
corrosion-fatigue, erosion-corrosion, loss of displacement,
material defect, mechanical damage, thread galling, torsional
loading, and workmanship defect
E

E. Stress Relief
alternating bending, corrosion-fatigue, erosion-corrosion,
loss of displacement, material defect, mechanical damage,
torsional loading, unidirectional bending-stress, and
workmanship defect
T001-V01-052208
Subject to change without notice.

Engineered preformance.
Designed tough.