Perlast® ICE perfluoroelastomers

Perlast^® ICE offers the thermal and chemical resistance superiority associated with FFKM, but with the additional benefit of low temperature capabilities – an operating temperature range of -46°C to +250°C (-51°F to +482°F).

The low temperature properties are achieved by polymer structure changes rather than additive techniques, this ensures reliable, repeatable and sustained sealing performance over an extended period.

Perlast^® ICE opens up new design possibilities for engineers looking to develop sealing solutions which need to operate at extremely low temperatures.

Perlast^® ICE perfluoroelastomers have been formulated to provide increased resistance to a broad range of chemicals including acids and amines by carefully controlling the molecular architecture.

Perlast^® ICE perfluoroelastomers exhibit low permeability and as a result, are less prone to swelling, leading to extended in-service performance in valves, pumps and mechanical seals.

Excellent mechanical strength is vital for oilfield seals, where durability, safety, and reliable sealing performance are critical for operators. A failed seal can have severe economic and environmental consequences.

Perlast^® ICE seals can withstand HPHT environments without deformation, cracking, or extruding. They have also been developed to withstand the abrasion associated with oilfield equipment moving parts, including sand, mud and rock particles.

With better elastic recovery and fatigue resistance, Perlast^® ICE materials give operators the confidence that any unscheduled downtime associated with their sealing system will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Perlast^® ICE materials are resilient to rapid gas decompression (RGD), which is a failure mechanism of elastomer seals caused by a rapid reduction in pressure of a gaseous media. Gas that has permeated into the elastomer seal expands violently when the pressure is released rapidly, causing fissuring and seal failure.

Anti-explosive decompression (AED) seals available through PPE include Perlast^® ICE, which are tested to the following inte ational standards:

• NORSOK M-710
• NACE TM0297
• ISO 23936-2 Section 7 and Annex B

PPE’s Elastomer Materials Lab houses mode  ED testing facilities, with test rigs capable of pressurizing various seal geometries up to 13.8MPa or 20,000psi, at temperatures up to 250°C (482°F).

Sour gas – containing hydrogen sulphide – can have very detrimental effects on elastomers. Non-resistant elastomers will become hard and brittle, losing their elastic properties and their ability to seal. This ultimately leads to seal failure.

Perlast^® ICE materials have been tested to key sour gas standards, including:

• NORSOK M710
• ISO 10423 (API 6A)
• NACE TM0187

Furthermore, PPE has undertaken additional high concentration sour gas testing, at elevated temperatures and sour gas concentrations of 25%. This exceeds the minimum requirements of the ‘standard’ 2% NORSOK test, giving a more representative idea of real-world service conditions.