Extrusion, slide, and rupture of an elastomeric seal

Abstract

Abstract. Elastomeric seals are essential to two great technological advances in oilfields:horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. This paper describes a method to study elastomeric seals by using the pressure-extrusion curve (i.e., the relation between the drop of pressure across a seal and the volume of extrusion of the elastomer). Emphasis is placed on a common mode of failure found in oilfields: leak caused by a crack across the length of a long seal. We obtain an analytical solution of large elastic deformation, which is analogous to the Poiseuille flow of viscous liquids. We further obtain analytical expressions for the energy release rate of a crack and the critical pressure for the onset of its propagation. The theory predicts the pressure-extrusion curve using material parameters (elastic modulus, sliding stress, and fracture energy) and geometric parameters (thickness, length, and precompression). We fabricate seals of various parameters in transparent chambers on a desktop, and watch the seals extrude, slide, rupture and leak. The experimentally measured pressure-extrusion curves agree with theoretical predictions remarkably well.

Investigation of Elastomer Seal Energization: Implications for Conventional and Expandable Hanger Assembly

“…They observed that in swellable elastomer packer equipment, contact stress profile peaks at the center of the element and declines towards both ends of the axial length. Wang et al [25] studied elastomer failure modes such as extrusion, sliding, and rupture by conducting theoretical analysis supported by visual experimental observations. Zhong et al [26] used FEA model of large bore expandable liner hanger to assess expansion force, cone pull out fore, contact stress at the seal-pipe interface, and deformations in hanger, casing, containment spikes, and cone body.…”

Design and Development of Weatherproof Seals for Prefabricated Construction: A Methodological Approach

“…[40] Improvement of hardness and compression set properties of EPDM seals with alternating multilayered structure [41] Method for the evaluation of elastomeric seals by compression stress relaxation [42] The influence of rubber material on sealing performance of packing element in compression packer [43] Stress relaxation in viscoelastic materials [44] Improvement of hardness and compression set properties of EPDM seals with alternating multilayered structure [41] Extrusion, slide, and rupture of an elastomeric seal [45]…”

Design and Development of Weatherproof Seals for Prefabricated Construction: A Methodological Approach

“…Sealing force prediction of elastomeric seal material for PEM fuel cell under temperature cycling [32] Stress relaxation behaviour of EPDM seals in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell environment [33] Sealing force prediction of elastomeric seal material for PEM fuel cell under temperature cycling [34] Temperature-dependent leak tightness of elastomer seals after partial and rapid release of compression [35] Long-term stress relaxation prediction for elastomers using the time-temperature superposition method [36] Improvement of hardness and compression set properties of EPDM seals with alternating multilayered structure [37] Method for the evaluation of elastomeric seals by compression stress relaxation [38] The influence of rubber material on sealing performance of packing element in compression packer [39] Stress relaxation in viscoelastic materials [40] Improvement of hardness and compression set properties of EPDM seals with alternating multilayered structure [37] Extrusion, slide, and rupture of an elastomeric seal [41]…”