DataCan

Redress Kits

Redress Kits

O-Rings and back-ups

Application

A variety of materials are available for use in O-Rings. The oil field industry has relied on 4 common materials. HNBR (Nitrile), Viton, Aflas, and FFKM (Chemraz, Kalraz, Perflas) are all common trade names for popular oil field elastomers.

Generally, as you move from HNBR to FFKM you gain chemical resistance and cost, but lose mechanical strength.

Features
  • Hyrdrogenated Nitrile (HNBR. HSN) = Nitrile is a low-temperature performer with limited chemical resistance. Superior mechanical characteristics, particularly high strength helps reduce extrusion and wear. Do not use with ketones, esthers, strong acids, or chlorinated hydrocarbons.
  • Fluorocarbon (FKM) Viton = Has an excellent resistance to high temperatures, ozone, oxygen, mineral oil, synthetic hydraulic fluids, fuels, aromatics and many organic solvents and chemicals. Low-temperature resistance is generally not favorable. Do not use with glycol, organic acids, or steam.
  • Tetrafluoroethylene-Propylene (TFE) Aflas = This elastomer has an excellent chemical resistance across a wide range of aggressive media. Do not use with aromatics, ketones, or chlorides.
  • Perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) Chemraz = Perfluroelastomer (FFKM) currently offers the highest operating temperature range, the most comprehensive chemical compatibility, and the lowest off-gassing and extractable levels of any rubber material.

    Common Failure Modes

    The premature failure of an O-Ring can usually be attributed to a combination of causes and not merely a single failure mode. It is important to maximize sealing life and reliability by reducing the probability of seal failure at the onset by the use proper compound selection, installation and continued education of personnel.

    Abrasion  Abrasion

    The seal or parts of the seal exhibit a flat surface parallel to the direction or motion. Loose particles and scrapes may be found on the seal surface. Rough sealing surfaces, excessive temperatures, environments containing abrasive particles, or poor elastomer surface finish may lead to an abrasion failure.

    Use recommended gland surface finishes, consider internally lubricated elastomers or eliminate abrasive components.

    Compression Set  Compression Set 

    The seal exhibits a flat-sided cross-section, the flat sides correspond to the mating seal surfaces. Excessive compression and temperature, excessive volume swell in chemical, and specific elastomers with high compression set lead to this failure mode.

    Low compression set elastomers, proper gland design and material compatibility are all suggested solutions to a compression set failure mode. 

    Chemical Degradation Chemical Degradation 

    The seal may exhibit many signs of degradation including blisters, cracks, voids, or discoloration. In some cases, the degradation is observable only by the measurement of physical properties.

    The selection of a more chemically resilient elastomer will prevent degradation. 

    Explosive Decompression  Explosive Decompression 

    The seal exhibits blisters, pits, or pockets on its surface. Absorption of gas at high pressure and the subsequent rapid decrease in pressure results is gas that was once trapped inside the elastomer to explosively decompress and exit the seal. The absorbed gas blisters and ruptures the surface as the pressure is rapidly removed.

    High modulus or a harder elastomer, as well as a slower decompression rate will prevent this mode of failure.

    Extrusion  Extrusion 

    The seal develops ragged edges (generally on the low-pressure side) which appear tattered. Excessive seal clearances, excessive pressure, low modulus or hardness elastomers, or improper sizing will lead to an extruded seal.

    Decreasing gland clearances or use of a back-up ring will prevent extrusion.

    Installation Damage  Installation Damage 

    The seal or parts of the seal may exhibit small cuts, nicks, or gashes. Sharp edges on the glands or components, improper sizing, or a low modulus/hardness elastomer may lead to installation damage.

     Remove all sharp edges, and follow the installation guidelines to prevent damage.

    Over-compression  Over-compression 

    The seal exhibits parallel flat surfaces (corresponding to the contact areas) and may develop circumferential splits within the flattened surface.

    Gland design should take into account material responses to chemical and thermal environments.

    Spiral Failure  Spiral Failure 

    The seal exhibits cuts or marks which spiral around its circumference. Difficult or tight installation clearances without proper lubrication may lead to this mode of failure. Excessive gland width is also a known cause. 

    Ensure adequate lubrication, or ensure the back-up ring is installed to reduce gland volume.

    Thermal Degradataion  Thermal Degradation 

    The seal may exhibit radial cracks located on the highest temperature surfaces. In addition, certain elastomers may exhibit softening, or a shiny surface as a result of excessive temperatures.

    Selection of an elastomer with improved thermal stability is a suggested solution.

    Storage

    The effective storage life of an O-Ring varies with the inherent resistance of each individual elastomer to normal conditions. The following conditions are suggested for maximum storage life:

    • Ambient temperature not exceeding 49ºC (120ºF)
    • Exclusion of air (oxygen)
    • Exclusion of contamination
    • Exclusion of light (particularly sunlight)
    • Exclusion of ozone-generating electrical devices
    • Exclusion of radiation

    Generally, sealed polyethylene bags stored in larger cardboard containers ensure optimal storage life.

    Removal

    DataCan recommends that each O-Ring located on the electronics to batter barrel connection be replaced after every job. In order to maintain a reliable o-ring gland seal structure, the following procedure should be followed:

    Using a soft O-Ring pick, lift the o-ring from the gland

    Cut the O-Ring in half

    When lifting the ring, be careful not to scratch the O-Ring gland.

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    Installation

    DataCan recommends that each O-Ring located on the electronics to battery barrel connection be replaced after every job. To install an O-Ring without damaging the O-Ring or seal gland the following the procedure should be followed:

    • Cut a 1-2 foot length of wax string (dental floss)
    • Place the wax string through the O-Ring
    • Use the wax string to “walk” the O-Ring over the threads and into the O-Ring glad
    • Ensure that the O-Ring is placed on the pressure side of the Back-Up
    • Apply some O-Ring lubrication to the O-Rings. DataCan recommends using ParkerÒ O-Lube or Lubriplate L-461.

    Install Step 1.png Install Step 2.png Install Step 3.png Install Step 4.png Install Step 5.png Install Step 6.png

    Redress Kits