Patent ID: 8485265

Claim:
A method for controlling a downhole operation, comprising: conveying a device into a borehole, wherein the device comprises an actuator comprising: an outer layer comprising an elastomer, a plastic, or a porous ceramic; and an inner layer comprising at least one degradable material comprising: a calcium alloy comprising about 80 wt % calcium and about 20 wt % magnesium; an aluminum alloy comprising about 80 wt % aluminum, about 10 wt % gallium, and about 10 wt % magnesium; or an aluminum alloy comprising about 85 wt % aluminum, about 5 wt % gallium, about 5 wt % magnesium, and about 5 wt % indium; and degrading the degradable material to actuate the device, wherein the outer layer controls the rate at which the degradable material degrades.