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ELASTOMER COMPOUND SELECTION
Many different compounds are needed to meet the wide range of service conditions found in the oilfield and industrial
markets. A broad range of elastomers to choose from is essential. The list below shows some of the
common oilfield elastomers and their general properties.
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| High Temperature |
250°F |
300°F |
400°F |
450°F |
450°F |
300°F |
600°F |
450°F |
| Low Temperature |
-40°F |
-40°F |
-20°F |
-20°F |
0°F |
-60°F |
-80°F |
-80°F |
| Acid Resistance |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3-2 |
3-2 |
| Base Resistance |
3-2 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3-2 |
3 |
| Oil & Fuel Resistance |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
| Water & Steam |
3-2 |
2 |
3-2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Gas Impermeability |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| Ozone Resistance |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Compression Set |
2-1 |
2-1 |
2-1 |
2-1 |
3 |
2-1 |
2-1 |
2-1 |
| Abrasion Resistance |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
2-1 |
6 |
6 |
| Resilience |
3-2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Tear Strength |
3-2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2-1 |
4 |
4 |
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COMMON NAMES:
Nitrile, BUNA, BUNA-N
DESCRIPTION
Nitrile is the most widely used elastomer in the oilfield because of it's low cost,
good temperature resistance and strong resistance
to oil and petroleum based products.
APPLICATIONS
NBR works well in water, petroleum oils and fuels, ethylene glycol and
silicones but is not recommended
for use in strong acids, bases, ketones, phosphate ester hydraulic fluid, and halogen
derivitives.
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COMMON NAMES:
Hydrogenated Nitrile, HSN, Highly Saturated Nitrile
DESCRIPTION
The unsaturated double bonds within a nitrile's butadiene segments are the main
attack sites for heat, chemicals, and oxidation.
The hydrogenation process reduces the unstable double bonds between carbon atoms
in the polymer chain, allowing saturation rates of 85% to 99.9%.
The result is a high perfomance
polymer with improved chemical and temperature resistance.
APPLICATIONS
HNBR will have better resistance to acids, bases, heat, ozone, and abrasion than NBR.
It is a good choice when standard NBR compounds are being pushed to their limits.
HNBR is not recommended for
service in hydrocarbons (chlorinated), ketones, esters and ethers.
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COMMON NAMES:
VITON®, Fluorocarbon, fluoroelastomer, FPM
DESCRIPTION
FKM contains flourine atoms and is commonly referred to as a fluorocarbon elastomers.
The flourine atom
to carbon atom bond is extremely strong, and make FKM compounds extremely stable.
The polymer chain is also fully saturated, containing no unstable double bonds between
carbon atoms. Fluorocarbons have exceptional resistance to chemicals, oil, ozone, and high
temperatures.
APPLICATIONS
Highly resistant to the H2S and CH4 found in extreme service wells, acids, aromatic
hydrocarbons, solvents, and silicone fluids and greases. FKM is not recommended
for service in ketones, amines, low molecular weight esters and ethers, and steam.
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