API TR 6J1

Abstract

Estimating the service life of elastomeric sealing elements used in severe environments, such as encountered in energy exploration and oil/gas production industries, has been extremely difficult. Elastomeric sealing elements are frequently exposed to methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide gases, along with crude oil, water and corrosion inhibiting chemicals. The proposed procedure outlines a technique based on the Arrhenius principle of chemical reaction rates, which permits the life of an elastomeric material to be estimated when exposed to a severe service environment. The actual test procedure must be coordinated and agreed upon between the supplier of the equipment that incorporates the elastomer sealing elements and the end user. The procedure should be based upon a definition of the service conditions and requirements such as: <br> a. Temperature - steady state or a high and low range of service. <br> b. Fluids and gases - stagnant or flowing. <br> c. Pressure - continuous or a low and high range. <br> d. Chemicals and additives - inhibitors, descalers, acidizing, etc. <br> e. Mechanical requirements - dynamic or static, torque, setting force. <br> f. Failure criteria - pressure leakage, loss of mechanical function, inability to set or retrieve.