Materials qualification of polymers - Norsok, Api, Nace, Iso

Materials Qualification

The qualification of non-metallic materials for critical service can be performed to an appropriate International Standard (e.g., API, NACE, NORSOK, ISO), corporate standard (e.g., Shell ED test) or to service conditons. MERL can advise on the most appropriate approach. MERL has significant practical experience of the above standards and methods, as well as testing to specific service conditions.

Example 1 - testing to a Standard

NORSOK M-710, Rev 2, Oct 2001 Applied by Norwegian operators to subsea non-metallics seals. The two main aspects of the standard involve chemical ageing and ED resistance of the materials (mostly elastomers) involved.

Tensile strength of a rubber as a function
of ageing time at three elevated temperatures

Example 2 - a corporate test method

SHELL ED TEST A gas pressure test designed to evaluate sealing elastomer performance (in O-ring form) when subjected to multiple decompression events from 2000 psi. The test is required by some end users.

Shell ED test rig

© 2010 MERL Ltd. The registered company address of:
Materials Engineering Research Laboratory Limited is Wilbury Way,
Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK, SG4 0TW.
Registered in England. Company registration number: 2015020.
Tel: +44(0)1462 427 850
Polymer Engineering, Testing, Inspection, Research and Development, UK