Trelleborg Goes Big in Oilfield Applications
Trelleborg demonstrates its capabilities to produce giant seals in specialist
FFKM materials for the oil & gas market
FlexiMold™ is the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions unique method of producing large diameter joint free seals. The process has now been extended to offer FlexiMold™ seals in Isolast® perfluoroelastomer materials specifically engineered for oil & gas applications.
Three Isolast® perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) compounds have been specially engineered to meet the most demanding of oilfield conditions. They demonstrate outstanding chemical resistance, exceptional mechanical performance under pressure, incomparable thermal properties and unrivalled RGD resistance. These compounds can now be manufactured using the unique jointfree FlexiMold™ process from 600 millimeters / 24 inch up to any size.
Chris Busby, the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Product Manager for Isolast® and FlexiMold®, says:
"Chemical injection swivels and turbo compressor applications often require large diameter seals in sizes up to 2000 millimeters / 7 feet in diameter. It would not be possible to produce these seals using standard methods of production. Hence, the development of the FlexiMold™ process. As an alternative to splicing, using FlexiMold™ proprietary molding techniques, we can deliver a seal that has no visible join. It will also have excellent integrity to provide extended life, lowering operators overall costs."
For the oil & gas industry FlexiMold™ seals are now available in the following Isolast® perfluoroelastomer materials specifically engineered for the oil & gas industry:
Isolast® J9554 offers outstanding chemical resistance in all environments including in high temperature steam, as well as exceptional mechanical performance at high pressures. This is an ideal elastomer for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) applications, including chemical and steam injection applications, downhole tools, and geothermal applications.
XploR™ J9523 has a combination of excellent chemical and thermal properties with a focus on outstanding low temperature capabilities. It exhibits exceptional performance in Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) situations and at extremely low temperatures. The material has been independently tested to NORSOK M-710 (ISO 23936) and the API-6A, Annex F specification, satisfying compliance to each specification.
Isolast® XploR™ J9513 is the ultimate sealing solution for oil and gas applications where RGD could be encountered. This material has unrivaled Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) resistance within its material type and is capable of operating in extreme temperatures with long service life in the most aggressive media. It is compliant with NORSOK M-710 (ISO 23936) for both aging in sweet and sour media and RGD resistance, as well as API-6A, Annex F immersion compliance.
With the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions proprietary FlexiMold™ technology, high-precision, large diameter O-Rings and other seal profiles can be manufactured that are of a superior quality to those fabricated as spliced seals or made from extruded cord. The seals demonstrate the full visual and dimensional integrity of a molded product and produced without the need for a dedicated tool, a flexible tool set-up minimizes lead times and costs.
For further details about Trelleborg Sealing Solutions offerings for the oil and gas industry visit booth 3227 at the 2018 Offshore Technology Conference from April 30th or visit:
