Hydrogen Sulfide and Explosive Decompression Resistance of THERBAN (HNBR) Vulcanizates

THERBAN^® hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) is a specialty elastomer that has excellent mechanical and dynamic properties as well as resistance to heat, oil, tear and abrasion. Such properties are very important to meet the demanding performance requirements in an oilfield environment. THERBAN^® HNBR can be used in a wide variety of oil field components including stators, packers, blow-out preventors and drill bit seals.  Relative to other elastomers, it can potentially extend the service life and the replacement cycles for these components. This paper will explore the effect of HNBR polymer properties as well as compounding changes on the resistance to hydrogen sulfide gas and explosive decompression.