O-rings are widely used in a variety of industries. Their required resistance covers anything from chemical to rapid gas decompression and more. As such, there are countless types of O-rings available.

Using patented cross-linking technology, NICHIAS has developed an O-ring series called BLAZER™ for highly specific and high performing applications. These are widely used in Asia but now made available for customers in Europe with highly demanding applications.

These applications can be grouped into 3 main categories – Chemical and/or Plasma; Heat and/or Steam; Rapid Gas Decompression.

Our technical team has put together an overview of the Rapid Gas Decompression environments, its challenges and appropriate solutions.

RGD resistance

O-rings used in oil and gas field plants, infrastructure using steam, power plant, downhole and surface equipment are likely going to be exposed to Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD). Out of all operating environments (chemical, plasma, heat or steam), RGD has effects that may be least noticeable since they happen on the inside of the O-ring and are uncovered only after fatal failure. Cracks that appear in the material can only be discovered by analysing cross-sections of the O-ring. Once the O-ring cracks on the outer surface it is already too late.

Cracks on the inside of the material are caused by highly compressed gas entering the structure of the O-ring and when this gas decompresses rapidly, it expands within the O-ring at an accelerated rate, tearing the material, which in turn affects the products sealing ability.

There are only a few product options on the market provided by DuPont and Greene Tweed, and any material anyway needs to pass International and European standards such as the recognized testing method for North Sea – NORSOK.

BLAZER™ is comparable to Kalrez™ and Chemraz™ solutions (and is also NORSOK certified).

When BLAZER™ is used in combined environment of 300°C steam and RGD, there appear no cracks on the cross-section of the material. It can also withstand multiple cycles of gas compression-high pressure maintenance-RGD-normal pressure-gas compression.

As the most recently developed and certified solution on the market, BLAZER™ G is an appropriate and suitable replacement for other materials currently available.

Comparison chart based on internal test data:

*for a full list, please enquire

Applicable BLAZER™ products:

TOMBO No. – BLAZER™ G

Appropriate replacement for:

Kalrez™ 0090, 3018

Chemraz™ 526

On the outside there are not that many differences between binary and ternary PTFE encapsulated FKM. Both are used in Triclamp (ferrule) connections which are most commonly used in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. The question then is - why is it that companies choose ternary version over its binary counterpart?

First, let’s understand the difference in these two materials at their core - their chemical composition which often determines how successful a material can and will be on the market.

What is binary FKM?

The above is the chemical structure of a binary FKM. This composition allows binary FKM to be used widely in the general industry.

What is ternary FKM?

Ternary FKM introduces extra bonds into the chemical composition which makes for stronger material that has more flexibility in the way it is adjusted to specific environments. It is especially recommended for use with aggressive chemicals.

Why does this matter?

Resistance to aggressive chemicals and temperatures used for sterilization in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industry is key to the material’s success in use. Furthermore, by bonding well with the PTFE skin, the material is further protected from degradation and avoiding release of impurities into the production process. Material lifetime is extended, and Quality standards maintained.

NICHIAS recognized the need for such a material after various customers voiced their desire for a more resilient and chemically inert solution. As a result, the ternary FKM encapsulated in PTFE was developed. This material is now available as TOMBO No. 9014 Saniclean™. Below is a comparison table between NICHIAS product and a common binary FKM encapsulated in PTFE available on the market.

Earlier in the year, we received an urgent enquiry from a customer in the petroleum refining industry. They were going through an emergency shutdown of their turbine due to gasket failure and were looking for an alternative supplier.

Their requirement covered eight spiral wound gaskets for the emergency valve body. They needed quick response, robust product solutions, quality manufactured, and delivered so that they could restart the use of their turbine as soon as possible and return to full production.

All gaskets were of different sizes, material combinations and product composition (with/without inner/outer ring). Since this was an emergency replacement, NICHIAS worked closely with the customer to ensure that the gaskets provided by NICHIAS were suitable for the application and would not fail because of temperatures and high pressures. NICHIAS factory also needed to produce the gaskets without delay in order to satisfy the customers need for a quick turnaround.

Within 30 days, NICHIAS assessed, manufactured, and provided goods to the customer who was able to install them. We aim to work closely with customers to resolve their issues reliably so that they can trust the solutions they receive and can return to operation as quickly as possible.