We Have The RGD O-Rings To Handle The Pressure

 

Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD), also commonly referred to as Explosive Decompression (ED), is found in many high-pressure processes often found in the Energy, Oil & Gas (EOG) industry. It occurs when a pressurized gas is released very quickly and can cause the rubber seals inside the piece of equipment to fail. This seal damage is not always visible because small bubbles form on the inside of the rubber seal, which can lead to seal failure.

High-pressure, high-temperature o-ring compounds have been specifically formulated to resist this type of failure and withstand rapid gas decompression. These types of o-rings are commonly referred to as RGD, ED Resistant, or AED (anti-explosive decompression) o-rings. The most commonly used material for RGD certified o-rings is Viton® or FKM. However, RGD o-rings can also be made from HNBR, AFLAS®, and FFKM materials.

Global O-Ring and Seal stocks three variations of FKM rapid gas decompression o-rings (Parker V1238, V95RGD, and V90RGD), but we have access to a number of additional compounds by request.

Parker V1238 O-Rings

One of the more widely accepted RGD o-ring compounds is the Parker V1238-95. V1238-95 is a 95 Shore A durometer fluorocarbon developed to mitigate the detrimental effects of explosive decompression (ED) and extrusion typically found in the EOG market. This fluorocarbon material has a unique combination of superior physical and chemical properties, as well as excellent compression set resistance. With these superior internal properties, V1238-95 has passed some of the most stringent test requirements found in the EOG market. This includes passing NORSOK M-710 and API 6A requirements.

SHOP FOR PARKER V1238 O-RINGS

Global O-Ring and Seal’s V95RGD & V90RGD O-Rings

Global O-Ring and Seal’s V95RGD is a type of FKM 95 Shore A durometer compound with a dynamic service temperature range of 23°F to 428°F (-5°C to 220°C) and excellent resistance to synthetic and mineral lubricants. Global O-Ring and Seal also carries a 90 durometer variation (V90RGD) of the same material which maintains the same properties of V95RGD. In NORSOK M710 testing, results yielded a near-perfect 1000 score for V95RGD and a perfect 0000 score for V90RGD. This means that o-rings made from this material were tested in a rapid gas decompression environment and cut into 4 pieces, with the pieces showing little to no signs of cracking or blistering.

SPEC SHEET: RGD 95 Durometer

SPEC SHEET: RGD 90 Durometer

SHOP FOR V90RGD O-RINGS

Global O-Ring’s AFLAS® A90RGD O-Rings

RGD o-rings are now available in 90 Durometer AFLAS® (FEPM). This material undergoes the same rigorous standard of testing and passes. AFLAS® RGD o-rings can handle a temperature range of 23ºF to 428ºF (-5ºC to 220ºC) but is preferable for use in high temperatures. AFLAS can withstand a broad variety of chemicals in comparison to Viton (FKM), such as sour gas, superheated steam, and acetic acids. 

Product Inquiry

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Rapid Decompression Standards and Testing

NORSOK, an organization who develops standards for the Norwegian Petroleum Industry, has developed an extensive and universally accepted test for ED resistance of o-rings. The NORSOK standard M-CR-710 (Section 8.3, Annex B) outlines the requirements for ED resistance testing of o-rings and other related seals. The o-ring is exposed to RGD conditions and then subsequently cut into four pieces to expose the inner cross sections since most damage occurs from the inside out in RGD applications. Any internal cracks that are found are rated according to the right-side chart:

Rating Description
0 No internal cracks, holes or blisters of any size.
1 Less than 4 internal cracks, each shorter than 50% of the cross section, with a total crack length less than the cross section.
2 Less than 6 internal cracks, each shorter than 50% of the cross section, with a total crack length of less than 2.5 times the cross section.
3 Less than 9 internal cracks of which max. 2 cracks can have a length between 50% and 80% of the cross section.
4* More than 8 internal cracks or one or more cracks longer than 80% of the cross section.
5* Crack(s) going through the cross section or complete separation of the seal into fragments.

Preferred Environments to Use RGD O-Rings

Performs Well In:

  • Synthetic/Mineral lubricants
  • Petroleum products
  • Fuel or blend with methanol or ethanol
  • Diesel or blend with biodiesel
  • Mineral oil and grease
  • Silicone oil and grease
  • High vacuum
  • Ozone, weather, and very high temperature air
  • Strong acid

Doesn't Perform Well In:

  • Ketones
  • Low molecular weight organic acids (formic and acetic acids)
  • Superheat steam
  • Low molecular weight esters and ethers
  • Phosphate ester based hydraulic fluids

RGD O-Ring Compounds (FKM Material)

Compound V90RGD V95RGD V90RGD/LT V90RGD/XLT V90RGD/VLT V95RGD/VLT V90RGD/BFR
Polymer FKM FKM FKM FKM FKM FKM FKM
Durometer 90 95 90 90 90 95 90
NORSOK M-710 Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed Passed
NACE TM0297 Passed
Total GS EP PVV 142 Passed Passed
API 6A Sour Fluid Resistance Passed Passed Passed Passed
Compound Features General purpose for RGD General purpose for RGD Low-temp

Excellent performance in RGD

Excellent oil and natural gas resistance

Extreme low-temp Very low-temp Very low-temp

Recommended for low-temp or high pressure environments

Fluorine content: 70%

Excellent biofuel resistance

Dynamic Service Temperature -15º to 220ºC -15º to 220ºC -30º to 220ºC -45º to 220ºC -40º to 220ºC -30º to 220ºC -5º to 220ºC
Static Service Temperature -20º to 250ºC -20º to 250ºC -35º to 250ºC -50º to 250ºC -45º to 250ºC -35º to 250ºC -10º to 250ºC
Synthetic/Mineral Lubricants Resistance Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Aromatic Hydrocarbons Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Chemical Resistance Good Good Good Good Good Good Good

Additional RGD O-Ring Compounds (Non-FKM Material)

Compound H90RGD H90RGD/LT P9021A A90RGD/SGR
Polymer HNBR HNBR FFKM FEPM
Durometer 90 90 90 90
NORSOK M-710 Passed Passed Passed
NACE TM0297 Passed Passed
Total GS EP PVV 142 Passed

AP16A Sour Fluid

Resistance

Passed
Compound Features General purpose for RGD

Good hydrogen sulfide and abrasion resistance

Low-temp

Broad chemical resistance

Steam resistant w/ excellent compression set at high temperatures

Sour gas resistant
Dynamic Service Temperature -15º to 130ºC -35º to 250ºC 0º to 280ºC -5º to 220ºC
Static Service Temperature -25º to 150ºC -40º to 150ºC -10º to 300ºC -10º to 250ºC
Synthetic/Mineral Lubricants Resistance Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Aromatic Hydrocarbons Excellent Good Good Excellent
Chemical Resistance Fair Fair Fair Excellent