The use of dual-elastomeric materials for minimizing the level of extrusion in a thick-section seal is examined. A thick-walled cylindrical seal made from a combination of conventional carbon-black-reinforced elastomer and a fibre-reinforced elastomer is considered. The deformation of the seal and the evolution of the contact pressure are determined by a combination of experimental test and detailed non-linear finite element analysis. The results show that the level of extrusion in the dual-elastomer seal is significantly less than that in conventional single-elastomer seals. The implications of the results for the design of packing elements used in the oil and gas industry are discussed.
HitchcockG. R.AkisanyaA. R.ThompsonD. S.The mechanical response and anti-extrusion characteristics of fibre-filled elastomersProc. Instn Mech Engrs, Part L, Journal of Materials: Design and Applications, 1999, 213 (LI), 37–46.
2.
EgletonP. C. G.The post-ageing mechanical behaviour of certain elastomers. PhD thesis, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, 2000 (in preparation).
3.
WestonR. J.High performance elastomers for seal materials. In Proceedings of the International Conference onRubber in Offshore Engineering (Ed. StevensonA.), Bristol, 1983, pp. 295–314.
ShellR. L.Test for evaluating extrusion resistance of oil well packer applications. Presented at the 125th American Chemical Society, Rubber Division Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1980.
6.
FoldiA. P.Reinforcement of rubber through short individual filaments. Rubb. Chemistry Technol., 1976, 49, 379–389.
7.
KeithR. W.Elastomer reinforcement with short Kevlar aramid fibre for wear applicationsRubb. World, 1988, 20–23.
8.
BowdenP. E.Design and selection of mechanical seals to minimize emissionsProc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part J, Journal of Engineering Tribology, 1999, 213 (J3), 177–188.
9.
RivlinR. S.Large elastic deformations of isotropic materials. IV: Further developments of general theoryPhil. Trans., R. Soc. Lond. A, 1948, 835, 379–397.
10.
OgdenR. W.Large deformation isotropic elasticity: On the correlation of theory and experiment for incompressible rubber-like solidsProc. R. Soc. Lond., 1972, 326, 565–584.
11.
YeohO. H.Some forms of strain energy density function for rubberRubb. Chemistry Technol., 1993, 66, 754–771.
12.
TreloarL. R. G.The Physics of Rubber Elasticity, 1975 (Clarendon, Oxford).
13.
DaviesC. K. L.DeD. K.ThomasA. G.Characterisation of the behaviour of rubber for engineering design purposes. 1: Stress-strain relationsRubb. Chemistry Technol., 1994, 67, 716–728.
14.
HitchcockG. R.The mechanical behaviour of elastomeric seals. MPhil thesis, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, 2000 (in preparation).
15.
ABAQUS Users Manual, Version 5.7, 1998 (Hibbitt Karlsson and Sorenson, Pawtucket, Rhode Island).
