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Materials System Specification

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers
Document Responsibility: Non-metallic Standards Committee

3 March 2013

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards


Table of Contents
1 Scope................................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations.................................... 2
3 References......................................................... 2
4 Definitions and Abbreviations............................ 5
5 Operational Requirements................................. 7
6 Documentation Requirements........................... 8
7 Elastomeric Materials Commonly
Used in Oil and Gas Fields........................... 9
8 Manufacturers Qualification Requirements....... 9
9 Qualification of Elastomeric Sealing Materials. 10
Annex A Guidelines for the Chemical
Resistance of Oilfield Elastomers........ 19

Previous Issue: 10 September 2011


Next Planned Update: 10 September 2016
Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Mehdi, Mauyed Sahib on +966-3-8809547
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2013. All rights reserved.

Page 1 of 18

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Next Planned Update: 10 September 2016

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Scope
This specification defines the requirements for critical elastomeric sealing and seat
materials for permanent use in onshore and offshore equipment. It describes general
principles and gives requirements and recommendations for the selection and
qualification of elastomeric materials as well as manufacturers of these elements.
The specification applies to all sealing elements such as elastomeric o-rings, bonded
flexible hose liner elastomeric materials, elastomeric materials in flexible joints, and
elastomer lined valves.

Conflicts and Deviations


2.1

Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing, prior to submission of bids or start of related work, by the
Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager, Consulting Services
Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2

Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department, Saudi
Aramco, Dhahran.

References
Material supplied to this specification shall comply with the latest edition of the
references listed below unless otherwise noted:
3.1

Saudi Aramco References


Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAEP-302

Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory


Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

Saudi Aramco Inspection Requirements


Form
3.2

175-XXX

Industry Codes and Standards


American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM D395

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property Compression Set


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Next Planned Update: 10 September 2016

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

ASTM D746

Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics


and Elastomers by Impact

ASTM D792

Test Methods for Specific Gravity and Density of


Plastics by Displacement

ASTM D1415

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property International Hardness (IRHD)

ASTM D2240

Test Method for Rubber Property - Durometer


Hardness (Shore A/ D)

ASTM D297

Standard Test Methods for Rubber Products Chemical Analysis

ASTM D1141

Standard Practice for the Preparation of Substitute


Ocean Water

ASTM D1414

Standard Test Methods of Testing Rubber O-rings

ASTM D3032

Description of Arrhenius method: Method of Testing


Hook-Up Wire Insulation

ASTM D1418-06

Standard Practice for Rubber and Rubber LatticesNomenclature

British Standards
BS 1806

Standard Inch Sizes of O-rings

BS 6442

Specification for Limits of Surface Imperfections on


Elastomeric Toroidal Sealing Rings (O-rings)

International Organization for Standardization


ISO 868

Determination of Indentation Hardness by means of


a Durometer (Shore A/ D hardness)

ISO 1432

Rubber Vulcanised - Low Temperature Stiffening


(Gehman Test)

ISO 1817

Vulcanised Rubbers - Resistance to Liquids Methods of Tests

ISO D34

Tear Resistance, Method A

ISO R 812

Method of Test for Temperature Limit of Brittleness


for Vulcanized Rubbers

ISO 34-1:2005

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Tear

ISO 36:2005

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Adhesion to Textile Fabrics


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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

ISO 37

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Tensile Stress-Strain Properties

ISO 48

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Hardness (Hardness between


10 IRHD and 100 IRHD)

ISO 815-1

Rubber, Vulcanised or Thermoplastic Determination of Compression Set - Part 1: at


Ambient or Elevated Temperatures

ISO 1432

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Low Temperature Stiffening


(Gehman Test)

ISO 1432

Technical Corrigendum, Rubber, Vulcanized or


Thermoplastic - Determination of Low
Temperature Stiffening (Gehman Test); Technical
Corrigendum 1

ISO 1817

Rubber, Vulcanized - Determination of the Effect of


Liquids

ISO 2781

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Density

ISO 2921

Rubber Vulcanized - Determination of Low


Temperature Characteristics - TemperatureRetraction Procedure (TR Test)

ISO 3601-1

Fluid Power Systems - O-rings Part 1: Inside Diameters, Cross-Sections,


Tolerances and Designation Codes

ISO 3601-3:2005

Fluid Power Systems - O-rings - Part 3: Quality


Acceptance Criteria

ISO 7619-1

Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic Determination of Indentation Hardness Part 1: Durometer Method (Shore Hardness)

ISO 13628-10:2005

Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries - Design and


Operation of Subsea Production Systems Part 10: Specification for Bonded Flexible Pipe

American Petroleum Institute


API 17K

Specification for Bonded Flexible Pipe

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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

DECOMPRESSION TEST Standards


NACE TM0192-2003

Evaluating Elastomeric Materials in Carbon


Dioxide Decompression Environments

NACE TM0297-2002

Effects of High-Temperature, High-Pressure


Carbon Dioxide Decompression on
Elastomeric Materials

SHELL

Functional and Material Requirements for


Nonmetallic Seal Materials

TOTAL GS PVV 142 Appendix 8 Elastomer O-Ring Seals Explosion


Decompression Type Testing Procedure
NORSOK M-CR-710 Rev. 2 2001 Qualification of Non-metallic Sealing
Materials and Manufacturers
BHR Group Modeling of Decompression in Elastomeric Systems (MODES)
Consortium, 2003, ED View Version 3.0
4

Definitions and Abbreviations


4.1

Definitions
Accelerated Test: A test at temperatures and selected pressure values chosen to
accelerate seal degradation effects.
Compression Set: % 100 x [(Original seal height - Post test seal height) /
Interference].
Elastomer: A material compounded from rubbers and other constituents, and
then cured to form a rubbery material.
Fluid (or medium): A fluid or medium anything that flows without a recovery
such as gas, liquid, supercritical gas, or a mixture of these fluid if it is not in a
container.
Room Temperature: 20C 2C.
Seal Type: A seal design of specified geometry, size and orientation.
Compression Set, %: 100 x [(Original sample height - Post-test height) /
Interference]
Elastomer: Amorphous material mechanically mixed with other constituents to
form a rubber compound which is then shaped by flow into articles by the
manufacturing processes of molding or extrusion and (invariably) chemically

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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

cured at elevated temperature to form an elastic insoluble material. Alternative


name; rubber.
Fluid (or medium): A medium such as a gas, liquid, supercritical gas, or a
mixture of these
Interference: (Original sample height - height of spacer bar), each measured in
same direction as direction of compression
(Compound) Manufacturer: Producer of the elastomer material or semifinished products made from elastomer materials.
Polymer: A high molecular weight molecule, natural or synthetic, whose
chemical structure can be represented by repeated small units which collectively
form molecular chains. This material class has three main sub-groups:
elastomers, thermoplastics and thermosets.
Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) or Explosive Decompression (ED): Rapid
pressure-drop in a high pressure gas-containing system disrupts the equilibrium
between external gas pressure and the concentration of gas dissolved inside any
polymer. Excess gas seeks to come out of solution at points throughout the
material, causing expansion. If large enough and if the pressure-drop rate is
faster than the natural gas diffusion rate, blistering or rupturing can occur.
Seal Cross-Section: Free height of a seal at room temperature, measured
normal to seal diameter in the direction of compression in the test.
The measurement shall be taken at three circumferentially equi-distributed
positions. Also, abbreviated to Cross Section Diameter (CSD).
User: Responsible for the selection of suitable materials for a service operation
based on information received from asset operator.
Purchaser: Party responsible for procuring the elastomer material or component.
4.2

Abbreviations
COC

Certificate of conformance

CSD

Cross Section Diameter

CUT

Continuous Use Temperature

DSC

Differential Scanning Calorimetry

DTMA/TMA/DMTA/DMA

Differential Thermo Mechanical Analysis/


Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis or
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

ED

Explosive Decompression

FPSO

Floating Production Systems Offshore

MDSC

Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry

RGD

Rapid Gas Decompression (or De-pressurization)

QC

Quality Control

Operational Requirements
Elastomeric materials selection shall be based on evaluation of compatibility with
service environment, functionality under service and the design lifetime.
When selecting elastomeric material for a specific service, the following properties shall
be considered and evaluated before use.
Chemical resistance based on published data or laboratory tests to be conducted if such
data is not available. ISO 1817, ASTM D 471, ASTM D 1460 and ASTM D 3137 are
examples of the standards to be adopted when evaluating elastomeric sealing element
chemical resistance for specific service. Tables A.1 of Annex A provide guidelines for
the Chemical Resistance of Oilfield Elastomers.

Physical and mechanical properties including compression set, hardness, modulus,


tear strength, tensile strength, etc., shall be conducted.

Resistance to explosive decompression

Resistance to high pressure extrusion

Resistance to thermal cycling

Resistance to long term aging

Resistance to aging effects of hydrogen sulfide gas at levels specified.

Clause 3.2 provides references to relevant industry standards for the above tests.
The test conditions and durations shall be as given in this specification. In cases where
this specification deviates from the industry standards, it is the responsibility of the
equipment buyer to supply all of the required technical information about service
conditions and environment.
6

Documentation Requirements
The following documentations shall be required:

Document for the elastomeric material properties as referenced in Section 5.

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Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Quality control document to include a certificate of conformance and traceability


information.

Properties that are not relevant to a specific process may be omitted.


The requirements for this documentation shall be valid for both the elastomeric seal
material and backup material when they are used as an integral part of the seal
assembly. Each seal material used shall be traceable to the producer and his quality
control documentation. Each batch of material shall be supplied with a certificate of
conformance (COC) and traceability as a minimum, see Table 6.0.
Table 6.0 Shows the Required Minimum Numbers of Production
and Quality Control Tests for Both Elastomeric Seal Material
Properties

Standard

Documentation

Quality
Control Test

1- Elastomers
Specific Gravity

ASTM D 792

Hardness (Shore A/IRHD)

ASTM D 2240

Tensile Properties
Compression set at 100C
for 7 days under Nitrogen
Low temperature properties
by DSC or DMA

ASTM 1414

ASTM D 1414

ISO11357-2
ASTM E1640

Tear strength
Low temperature stiffening
at 20C to -20C
Ageing/RGD characteristics
(Annex 3)
H2S; Hydrogen Sulfide aging
resistance for services
where H2S 1000ppm

ASTM D 624

ISO 1432

A
A

NACE TM-0187 or
manufacturers
testing procedure

A: Properties to be documented for each manufacturer for each material. Nominal values with
tolerances shall be given.
B: Properties to be documented based on each batch with a minimum 3 samples per test per batch.
The acceptance criteria shall identified prior to the test and based on qualification test results.

Elastomeric Materials Commonly Used In Oil and Gas Fields


7.1

General
Materials shall be selected and designed by the Manufacturer in accordance with
the requirements of this standard and specified on their equipment data sheets.
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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

A listing of common oilfield elastomers is given in Table 7.0 below.


The Manufacturer may propose alternate elastomer materials. Any alternate
elastomer material proposed by the Manufacturer will require technical review
and testing in accordance with this document prior to acceptance by Saudi
Aramco. The naming of these elastomers follows ASTM D1418-06.
Table 7.0 Common Elastomers Utilized in the Oil and Gas Industry
Designation

Elastomer Type

NBR Nitrile

Acrylonitrile-butadiene

HNBR

Hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene

FKM-1

Vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and hexafluoropropylene (HFP)

FKM-2

VDF, HFP, and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)

FKM-3

VDF, HFP, TFE, and perfluoromethylvinylether

FKM-4

propylene, TFE, and VDF

FKM-5

VDF, HFP, TFE, PMVE, and ethylene

FEPM or FCM (TFEP)

Tetrafluoroethylene-propylene copolymer

FFKM

Perfluoro elastomer

NOTE: Nitrile (NBR) elastomers shall not be specified for sour, H2S, services.

Manufacturers Qualification Requirements


Elastomeric seals manufacturer shall demonstrate sufficient competence, knowledge
and experience in elastomers and their relevant raw materials and have the necessary
equipment to produce and test their raw materials, semi finished products and final
products. Manufactured seals shall be certified by the manufacturer in line with the
service requirements and relevant industry standards. The manufacturer quality system
shall fulfill the requirements of ISO 9001, 9002 or equivalent.
The qualification testing shall apply for the elastomeric materials on a one-off basis and
the results shall be valid provided no changes have been made to the formulation of the
product. This applies also for changes in raw materials and their suppliers or sub
suppliers. If manufacturing is carried out at different plants, a separate qualification is
required for each plant.
Qualification testing will not be required if the elastomeric sealing material has an
existing documented in-service experience with traceable production records and
quality control documentation. This documentation shall contain detailed technical
information on service conditions such as time, temperature, pressure, fluid
composition. The service temperature shall be in the same range as for the new
application (maximum 10C below) and the service life shall be minimum 50% of
design life.
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06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

On-site audits shall be performed on a random basis after the manufacturer has become
a qualified supplier to Saudi Aramco.
9

Qualification of Elastomeric Sealing Materials


9.1

General
The requirements for testing of elastomeric sealing elements are divided into two
sections. The first section defines the aging test requirements and the second
defines the requirements for rapid gas decompression testing. The different test
regimes shall be selected based on analysis of service requirements for the
different equipment components and the material in question. Such assessment
shall address all fluids coming into contact with both sides of the elastomeric
sealing element and the chemistry of these fluids. The service life of the
elastomeric seal in the relevant service environment shall be evaluated using
appropriate methodologies.

9.2

Aging Test Requirements


9.2.1

General
This specification describes test procedures for the prediction of the
progressive degradation of elastomeric sealing elements exposed to
fluids at elevated temperatures and recommended pressure over an
extended period of time. It is applicable where prediction of service life
of an elastomeric sealing element is required or for comparing the
performance of different elastomeric sealing materials. The prediction
shall be based on tests performed at three different temperatures, all of
which shall be above the defined service temperature.
When no previous knowledge about the behavior of an elastomeric
sealing material in a certain fluid exists, an initial pre-check test shall be
performed. The test period shall be sufficient to reach saturation of the
fluid in the elastomeric material at the test temperature. Aging test can
proceed if no immediate changes in volume or weight occur.
The manufacturer shall, during aging accelerated testing for obtaining
results for extrapolation to service life, limit the test temperature to
ensure that the same chemical and/or physical processes will occur as
during service.
When extrapolating data from the present procedures appropriate
statistical techniques shall be applied. For example, if progressive
degradation is dependent on a single chemical ageing process, a method

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Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

based on Arrhenius equation / method may be used as described in


ASTM D3032.
9.2.3

Approval Criteria
The approval criteria shall be determined prior to starting the aging test.
Based on documented experience the following criteria have been
identified as a baseline. The sealing element manufacturer shall justify
any deviation from these requirements.
The following property changes are acceptable for elastomeric sealing
element:

9.3

Tensile strength, elongation and 50% modulus; 50%. This limit is


generally set as insurance against excessive deterioration and early
seal failure.

Hardness; 10/-20 units and +5/-20 when the initial hardness is


90 Shore A. Hardness is usually controlled to avoid excessive
softening (causing extrusion) or hardening (causing cracking, lack of
resilience, and leakage).

Swelling; +25%/-5%. This is the maximum amount of swell that


can be tolerated.

Aging Test Conditions


9.3.1

Test Temperatures
The tests shall be run at a minimum of three test temperatures, all of
which are above service temperature. The accelerated results shall be
used to conduct the extrapolation when Arrhenius methodology is
utilized. The limitations to extrapolation regarding temperature inherent
in the Arrhenius method shall apply.
Test temperature versus time details shall be fully described in the Test
Report.

9.3.2

Test Pressure
A test pressure of 100 (10) bar or higher shall be used. This pressure
shall be attained by pressurization of the gas mixture after heating to the
selected temperature.
The pressure versus time details shall be described in the Test Report.

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9.3.3

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Aging Test Fluid


Tests fluid shall be representative of the seal application conditions.

9.3.4

Simulated Production Fluid


The production fluids are defined as either sour or sweet with
composition as given in Tables 9.0 and 9.1, respectively. Testing in sour
service conditions will qualify the seal material for sweet service
conditions. For wells with high H2S levels (> 0,5 % of total), separate
tests with higher H2S level than required in Table 9.0 shall be conducted.
Table 9.0 Test Condition for Sour Service Conditions
Volume %

Fluid Composition

30

3% CO2 , 2% H2S, 95% CH4

10

Distilled water (conductivity < 5 S)

60

70 % heptane, 20% cyclo-hexane, 10% toluene

Table 9.1 Test Condition for Sweet Service Conditions

9.3.5

Volume%

Fluid Composition

30

3% CO2, 95%CH4

10

Distilled water, conductivity < 5 S

60

70% heptanes, 20% cyclo-hexane, 10% toluene

Other Test Fluid


Other fluid, in addition to production fluid, may be necessary to perform
application specific testing of materials in contact with chemicals such as
hydrate inhibitors, scale inhibitors, and corrosion inhibitors. Specific test
procedures shall be written per this standard, detailing the exposure
environment.

9.3.6

Exposure Time
The exposure time required for lifetime predictions shall be based on the
time to reach saturation of the test samples and be sufficiently long as to
allow for reliable extrapolation according to the requirements of
Arrhenius plot.

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9.4

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Ageing Test Report


The report shall clearly state the following:
9.4.1

9.4.2

9.4.3

9.4.4

Test Seal Details


a.

Manufacturer, seal type, manufacturers compound reference


number and size.

b.

Seal material identification: generic polymer type (according to


ASTM definition), batch number and cure date.

Test Conditions
a.

Test medium identification with detailed composition

b.

Test temperature (C) and temperature history

c.

Test pressure (bar) and pressure history

d.

Test duration (hours)

e.

Date and time for start and end of test

Pre-Test Measurements
a.

Seal dimensions, (mm), weight (g) and volume (cm).

b.

Hardness, Shore A.

c.

Tensile strength, elongation at break and E-modulus (50%).

d.

Initial linear interference, (mm).

Post-Test Examination
a.

Test specimens shall be visually inspected for external damage.


The nature of any physical damage, set, embattlement, swell,
blistering, etc., and its location shall be recorded and reported in
the Test Report.
A photographic record (10-x magnification) of specific features
shall be included in the Test Report.

b.

Mean cross-section, (mm), weight (g) and volume (cm).

c.

Hardness, Shore A/ IRHD.

d.

Compression set, %.

e.

Tensile strength, elongation at break and E-modulus (50%).

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9.4.5

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Service Life Estimation


The test results obtained after aging shall be presented graphically as a
plot against a logarithmic time scale. Further, a graphical presentation
according to Arrhenius method [logarithmic time against 1/T [absolute
temperature (K)] based on trends for tensile properties shall be made to
estimate the service life of the tested sealing element.

9.5.

Hydrogen Sulfide Aging Resistance


9.5.1

General
Testing shall be per manufacturer testing procedure. All relevant
documentation including test methods and test results shall be submitted
to Saudi Aramco for review and approval. Testing shall fulfill the
minimum requirements given in Table 9.2 below.
Table 9.2 Minimum Test Requirements for H2S Resistance
Test Condition

9.5.2

Required Value

Static Pressure, PSI

1000 minimum

Gas Composition, H2S content; mole%

5% minimum

Test Temperature

175F (75C)

Exposure Duration

96 hours minimum

Approval Criteria
The following property changes are acceptable for elastomeric sealing
element under H2S aging test.

9.5.3

Tensile strength; 10%

Elongation; 5%

50% modulus; -20% / +50%

100% Modulus; -20% / +20%

Hardness; + / -3 units

Swelling; +10% / -5%

Test Report
A test report containing the tests results highlighted in 9.5.2 shall be
submitted to Saudi Aramco for assessment and approval.

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9.6

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Rapid Gas Decompression Testing Requirements


9.6.1

General
Rapid gas decompression, RGD, occurs in all types of fluid handling
devices, including valves, hoses, compressors, and in many other
equipment. Rapid decompression is also known as explosive
decompression (ED), an operational condition during which the applied
system pressure is quickly released, resulting in the expansion of
absorbed gas damaging elastomeric seals. Below is a typical example
for an O-ring that experienced ED.

Typical example of an o-ring that experienced rapid gas decompression


and blistering.
9.6.2

Test Conditions
Test conditions for ED shall be those given below in Table 9.3.
Table 9.3 Minimum Required Conditions for Explosive Decompression
Testing Using O-Ring Test Fixture Pressure Vessel Apparatus or
Autoclave Apparatus with Free-Standing O-Ring Test Samples
Test Conditions

Required Minimum Value

Static pressure, psi

2000

Fluid composition

5% CO2 , 95% CH4 and 100% CO2

Test temperature

100C 212F, 150C, 302F


or process temperature

Exposure Duration

48 hours

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9.6.3

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Test Conditions

Required Minimum Value

Hold Period

1 hour

Decompression pressure range

0 psi

Decompression rate

1000 psi/minute

Number of
pressurization/decompression cycles

O-ring squeeze

14 - 22%

Groove fill

70%-90%

Common Elastomers
Elastomers that are commonly used in ED shall be those highlighted in
Table 7.0 above.

9.6.4

RGD Test Specimens


The standard test specimen shall be an O-ring seal of size; cross section:
5.33 mm, ID: 37.47 mm according to BS 1806. A minimum of 3 seals
shall be tested.

9.6.5

Failure Criteria
The failure criterion for ED shall be based on NORSK M-710 standard
internal inspection rating method commonly used in the oil and gas
industry. Test seals are cut into 4 equal quadrants and each section is
rated as described in Table 9.4. Seals with rating 4 or 5 are classified as
not acceptable.
Table 9.4 Description of Rating Number System
for Each Seal Cross Section Surface
Description
No internal cracks, holes or blisters of any size
Less than 4 internal cracks, each shorter than 50% of cross
section with a total crack length less than the cross section.
Less than 6 internal cracks, each shorter than 50% of the
cross section, with a total crack length of less than 2,5 times
the cross section.
Less than 9 internal cracks of which max. 2 cracks can have
a length between 50% and 80% of the cross section.
More than 8 internal cracks or one or more cracks longer
than 80 % of the cross section.
Crack(s) going through cross section or complete separation
of the seal into fragments.

Rating
#0
#1
#2
#3
#4*
#5*

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Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

* Seals with rating 4 or 5 are not acceptable.

9.6.6

Test Report
Record the rating of each seal by listing the individual ratings for each cut
section in the order of the highest first to the lowest last. Thus, a rating for
a whole seal of 1000 means that one cut section had a few small cracks of
rating #1 but no other cut section had any crack at all. Rating of 5422
would mean that one section had one or more cracks going through seal
cross section, one section had more than 8 cracks or at least one longer
than 80% of seal cross section and the other two sections had less than
6 cracks of which each were shorter than 50% of seal cross section.
The overall rating for a set of three replicate seals is defined on a worst
case basis as the highest rating for each cross section over the three
replicates. Thus, if the rating for 3 seals were 1110, 3110, 2220, the
overall rating would be 3220 and the seal had passed the test.
Comparisons between materials shall be based on overall ratings made
on the same basis and with the same number of replicate seals.
The test report shall also state the following:

10 September 2011
3 March 2013

a)

Date of tests.

b)

Seal reference information, batch number, elastomer type, trade


name, manufacturer, date of curing, etc.

c)

Composition of test fluid.

d)

Initial observations.

e)

Temperature records, including heating and cooling.

f)

Test pressure records, including decompression and re-pressurization.

g)

Rapid gas decompression damage by rating system in Table 9.4.

h)

Any other observations or records, e.g., photographs of seal sections


and any nonconformance from the described test procedure.

Revision Summary
New Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification.
Editorial revision to change the document responsibility from Materials and Corrosion
Control to Non-metallic Standards Committee.

Page 17 of 18

Document Responsibility: Non-metallic Standards Committee


Issue Date: 3 March 2013
Next Planned Update: 10 September 2016

06-SAMSS-001
Selection and Qualification of Elastomeric
Sealing Materials and Manufacturers

Annex A Guidelines for the Chemical Resistance of Oilfield Elastomers


Table A-1 Guidelines of the Chemical Resistance of Oilfield Elastomers
SERVICE

NBR

HNBR

FKM

FEPM

FFKM

Corrosion Inhibitors, amine


based

Poor

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Corrosion Inhibitors,
K2CO3 based

Poor

Fair to good

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Crude Oil, sour


(<2,000 ppm H2S)

Poor

Excellent

Fair to good

Excellent

Excellent

Crude Oil, sour (>5% H2S)

Poor

Poor

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Crude Oil, sweet

Fair to good

Fair to good

Excellent

Fair to good

Excellent

Explosive Decompression
(ED)

Poor

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Hydraulic Fluid, oil/water


(HFA)

Fair to good

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Hydraulic Fluid,
water/glycol (HFC)

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Hydraulic Fluid, phosphate


ester (HFD)

Poor

Poor

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Hydrogen Sulfide, dry

Poor

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Hydrogen Sulfide, wet

Poor

Fair to good

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Methyl Alcohol (Methanol)

Excellent

Excellent

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)

Poor

Poor

Poor

Poor

Excellent

Steam

Poor

Fair to good

Poor

Excellent

Excellent

Toluene

Poor

Poor

Excellent

Fair to good

Excellent

Page 18 of 18

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