Quality Standard
International standard defining the requirements and testing methods for thermoplastic and elastomeric materials used in oil and gas production. Adherence to iso 23936 ensures that seals can withstand the aggressive fluids and extreme pressures found in subsea and topside equipment. It provides a framework for qualifying materials against specific environmental aging and rapid gas decompression.
The document is divided into multiple parts to address different classes of polymers and metallic components.
Aging Procedure
Samples undergo immersion in multi phase fluids at elevated temperatures and pressures to simulate years of service in a matter of weeks. Changes in mass, volume and mechanical properties are measured at regular intervals to track the rate of degradation. This accelerated testing identifies which compounds will maintain their integrity in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.
Decompression Resistance
Resistance to explosive decompression is a critical requirement for high pressure gas applications. The test involves saturating the material with gas and then rapidly dropping the pressure to check for internal cracks or surface blisters.
Performance Certification
Manufacturers must provide a certificate of compliance that details the test conditions and the resulting data. This documentation allows operators to compare different materials on a standardized basis rather than relying on disparate internal data. Qualification is typically performed by independent laboratories to verify that the results meet the strict tolerances defined in the standard.
The resulting data set forms the basis for material selection in safety critical energy infrastructure.
