Problem Solving

Oil & Petroleum

Several monolithic and composite polymer materials were evaluated by exposing various test coupons (tensile and compression) to a variety of media. The results aided in the selection of materials for the petroleum industry.

The following examples illustrate some of our contributions to this business sector:

  • A metallographic and microscopic examination of a monel nozzle sample, which exhibited metal depletion, revealed that the corrosion was very uniform. There was no evidence of pitting or intergranular attack. The attack was attributed to either cavitation or erosion due to high velocity of media. A literature search found that Monel should not be attacked by the medium in question.
  • Several monolithic and composite polymer materials were evaluated by exposing various test coupons (tensile and compression) to a variety of media, including methane gas, hydrochloric acid, petroleum distillates, hydrogen sulfide gas, ethyl alcohol, and carbon dioxide gas at pressures up to 100 psi and temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The specimens were measured and weighed before and after exposure and tested in tension or compression to determine whether any change in properties had occurred. The results aided in the selection of materials for the petroleum industry.
  • Touchstone has tested solvent specimens for dielectric breakdown and found that both solvents in question were slightly conductive.

The above examples are only a sample of our work in this area. We would be pleased to provide any additional information you may require. We also invite you to review examples on our website of work that we have performed in support of other business sectors.