Two elastomers developed by Trelleborg Sealing Solutions , Isolast XploRTM J9523 perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) and XploRTM V9T82 fluoroelastomer (FKM), have now met the ISO 23936 standard as well as revision three of NORSOK M-710. FFKM and FKM are engineered to maintain sealing function at low temperatures whilst also subject to high pressure conditions.
Low temperature sealing is becoming more common in oil and gas applications but standard hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) and FKM materials offer limited sealing capability below freezing when operated at high pressures. When an elastomer reaches its glass transition temperature (Tg) point its properties change from being elastic and pliable to becoming solid and brittle. Also, the Tg point of an elastomer increases under pressure. As a result the elastomer is ineffective as a sealing solution and can be damaged easily.
Isolast XploRTM J9523 operating temperatures range from -40-240°C / -40-464°F with short excursions to 250°C /482°F, while XploRTM V9T82 operates from -48-200°C/-54-392°F with short excursions to 210°C/410°F. These low Tg values allow the materials to remain elastic under pressure at low temperatures.
“Isolast XploRTM J9523 and XploRTM V9T82 are both designed to stand up to rapid gas decompression (RGD), are suitable for sour service conditions and have an outstanding extreme low temperature performance,” said Andrew Longdon, UK technical manager at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.
In addition to wellhead applications that may be subject to high operating pressures at low temperatures, Isolast XploRTM J9523 and XploR V9T82 may also be used for drilling and intervention equipment that is stored in subzero conditions before being deployed into high pressure scenarios.