Oil Drilling & Exploration Applications

904 West 6th Street, Shiner, Texas 77984 USA
Phone: 1-361-594-2941     Fax: 1-361-594-2349     E-Mail: bpi@boedeker.com

1-800-444-3485

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When high pressures, high temperatures, abrasive fluids and saltwater combine, only plastics can withstand the attack. Plastics are ideal for use in protective equipment, surface coatings, and even structural components. Proper material selection can give long life under conditions which destroy most metals. When cost, down-time, and rig personnel safety are critical, plastics are often the best choice for drilling applications. And, because of their advanced properties, composites are used in down- hole equipment bearings, seals, connectors, and insulators.

The paragraphs below describe specific materials and their uses in this industry . . .

High Temperature & High Performance | Bearing, Wear-Resistant & Tough Surfaces

See also information for the following applications:
Underwater Seismology | Oil Refinery & Transportation

• Celazole^® PBI (PolyBenzImidazole)            
  Celazole^® offers excellent dimensional stability and strength at the highest sustained temperatures of any plastics -- up to 750°F, with excursions possible up to 1000°F.
  
  
• DuPont ™ Vespel^® (Polyimide)            
  DuPont ™ Vespel^® polyimide material provides a unique combination of strength, toughness, wear resistance, chemical stability at temperatures up to 550°F. It can be used for insulators, spacers, and other electrical components that must stand up to extreme temperatures.
  
  
• DuPont ™ Kapton^® (Polyimide Film)            
  DuPont ™ Kapton^® polyimide film is a high performance polymer which combines excellent physical, electrical, and mechanical properties at temperatures as low as -452°F (-269°C) and as high as +752°F (+400°C). It is typically orange and transparent in appearance. DuPont ™ Kapton^® offers excellent dimensional stability combined with excellent chemical resistance -- there are no known solvents. It is typically used for wire and cable tapes, formed coil insulation, flexible printed circuit board substrates, and magnet wire, transformer and capacitor insulation.
  
  
• Duratron^® XP (Polyamide)            
  Duratron^® XP offers dimensional stability, chemical resistance, and retains its strength at temperatures of up to 550°F. Duratron^® XP is a slightly lower cost replacement for Vespel^® polyimide.
  
  
• Torlon^® PAI (PolyAmide-Imide)            
  Torlon^® has high dielectric properties and low thermal expansion, and is much less expensive than some advanced polymers. It is also available in glass and carbon-filled versions to enhance its already excellent characteristics. Because of its wide temperature range and dimensional stability, Torlon^® is ideal for connector bodies, insulators, spacers and other high-temperature electrical parts.
  
  
• Ultem^® PEI (PolyEtherImide)            
  Ultem^® has good dielectric properties and low thermal expansion, and is considerably less expensive than some other polymers. Its 30% glass-filled version, Ultem^® 2300, has a excellent dimensional stability and a wide operating temperature range. Ultem^® 2300 is an excellent choice for for insulators, spacers, connectors, and structural parts.
  
  
• PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone)            
  PEEK offers exceptional chemical resistance combined with heat resistance to 480°F. It does not degrade with exposure to water or steam, and is flame- and radiation-resistant. Glass and carbon-fiber reinforced grades are also available for improved dimensional stability, stiffness, compressive strength, and heat dissipation. Because of these properties, PEEK can withstand the chemical and mechanical stresses present during downhole operations. Connector bodies, insulators and spacers may be manufactured from PEEK.
  
  
• Ryton^® PPS (PolyPhenylene Sulfide)            
  Bearing grade Ryton^® PPS offers exceptional chemical resistance combined with heat resistance to 425°F. It does not degrade with exposure to water or steam, nor to hydrocarbon or other organic compounds. Many different bearing grades of Ryton^® are available which are filled with solid lubricants for lower friction and higher wear resistance. Glass and carbon-fiber reinforced grades are also available for improved dimensional stability, stiffness, compressive strength, and heat dissipation. Ryton^® PPS materials are suitable for bearing, thrust, and wear surfaces and structural components.
  
  
• G-10 and G-11 Glass-Epoxy Industrial Laminates            
  NEMA G-10 and G-11 glass-epoxy laminates are specified for their extremely high strength and high dimensional stability over temperature. G-10 is slightly stronger while G-11 is a better insulator and can take higher temperatures. These materials they are frequently used for insulators, spacers and structural parts which must stand vibration, shock, and high temperatures.
  
  

• PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone)            
  Bearing grade PEEK offers exceptional chemical resistance combined with heat resistance to 480°F. It does not degrade with exposure to water or steam, and is flame- and radiation-resistant. Many different grades of PEEK are available which are filled with solid lubricants for lower friction and higher wear resistance. Glass and carbon-fiber reinforced grades are also available for improved dimensional stability, stiffness, compressive strength, and heat dissipation. Bearing grade PEEK materials are suitable for bearing, thrust, and wear surfaces.
  
  
• CIP Composites            
  CIP Industrial Composites are laminated plastic materials that are made by impregnating fabric with thermosetting resins. The physical and mechanical properties of CIP composites make them excellent bearing materials. CIP composites offer design engineers an attractive, low cost alternative to the traditional materials used throughout industry for bearings, wear pads and other components. CIP composites have only 1/6 the weight of steel, good dimensional stability and contain no harmful or toxic materials. CIP Composites are also available with optional solid lubricant fillers (graphite, molybdenum disulfide, or PTFE) evenly dispersed throughout the material.
  
  
• Ryton^® PPS (PolyPhenylene Sulfide)            
  Bearing grade Ryton^® PPS offers exceptional chemical resistance combined with heat resistance to 425°F. It does not degrade with exposure to water or steam, nor to hydrocarbon or other organic compounds. Many different bearing grades of Ryton^® are available which are filled with solid lubricants for lower friction and higher wear resistance. Glass and carbon-fiber reinforced grades are also available for improved dimensional stability, stiffness, compressive strength, and heat dissipation. Ryton^® PPS materials are suitable for bearing, thrust, and wear surfaces and structural components.
  
  
• Torlon^® PAI (PolyAmide-Imide)            
  Bearing grade Torlon^® 4301 has high wear resistance, good dimensional stability, and is stable up to 520°F. The addition of solid lubricants to the base PAI material provides excellent wear resistance and low friction for bearing applications. Because of its wide temperature range and dimensional stability, Torlon^® 4301 is ideal for thrust and rotary bearings, slides, and other moving parts.
  
  
• Nylatron^® Cast Lubricant-Filled Cast Nylons            
  Several Nylatron^® proprietary formulations contain solid lubricants which impart self-lubricating, high pressure/velocity, and superior wear resistance characteristics. Finely divided lubricant particles enhance Nylon's already superior load bearing capabilities while enhancing its impact resistance. Nylatron^® is commonly used for gears, sheaves, sprockets, wheels, wear pads, slide pads, washers and bearings.
  
  
• Nyloil^® Oil-Filled Cast Nylons            
  A cast nylon with built-in oil lubrication, Nyloil^® provides superior machinability, performance and durability compared to other plastic materials. The oil lubricant is completely and evenly dispersed within the cast nylon material, ensuring consistent wear and lubrication over the life of the part. And, because of the oil filler, Nyloil^® has lower water absorption (and is more dimensionally stable) than unfilled nylons. Nyloil^® is designed for use in gears, bearings, bushings, wear pads, guides, scraper blades, sleeves, and other demanding bearing & wear applications.
  
  
• PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene)            
  PTFE offers high chemical resistance, resistance to most chemicals (including strong acids and bases), low friction, electrical and thermal insulation, and "slipperiness". It's useful temperature range is very wide; from -100°F to +400°F (-73°C to 204°C). Unfilled PTFE lacks mechanical strength in some configurations, so it is typically used for seals, gaskets, fittings, and non-loaded parts. A wide variety of filled grades are also available which offer improved or enhanced mechanical properties while maintaining many of PTFE's advantages.
  
  
• Acetal (PolyOxy-Methylene)            
  Acetal (the generic name for a family of products) provides high strength and stiffness, enhanced dimensional stability, and is easy to machine. Especially in high moisture environments, Acetal can outperform many other thermoplastics. Filled grades are also available with added lubricant or stiffeners designed to enhance Acetal's already excellent mechanical and thermal performance. Acetal is commonly used for small gears, bearing surfaces and small diameter, thin-walled bushings.
  
  
• UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) Polyethylene            
  UHMW Polyethylene is especially tough and durable over a wide temperature range, especially in colder climates. Because it is self-lubricating and almost impossible to shatter or break, it is frequently used for bumpers, slides, container liners, and impact-resistant components.
  
  

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Boedeker Plastics, Inc.
904 West 6th Street, Shiner, Texas 77984 USA
USA TOLLFREE : 1-800-444-3485
Phone: 1-361-594-2941     Fax: 1-361-594-2349     E-Mail: bpi@boedeker.com

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