Oil & Gas

Plastics play a vital role in oil and gas exploration, extraction, and refining equipment due to their durability and resistance to harsh environments. Materials such as PTFE, PEEK, HDPE, UHMWPE, and nylon, have specific properties that make them invaluable for use in oil and gas applications.

• PTFE, or Polytetrafluoroethylene, is commonly used in seals, gaskets, and linings for its excellent chemical resistance and low friction.
• PEEK, or Polyetheretherketone, is ideal for downhole tools and valve components thanks to its high strength and thermal stability.
• HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is widely utilized in pipeline linings and flowlines due to its toughness and abrasion resistance.
• UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) offers exceptional wear resistance and is found in bearings, bushings, and conveyor systems.
• Nylon is valued for its strength and durability, making it a key material in riser clamps, subsea components, and cable sheathing.
• PAI, or Torlon, is used in high-performance seals, valve seats, and bearings due to its exceptional thermal stability, wear resistance, and strength.
• PEI, also known as Ultem, offers high dielectric strength, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability, making it a great fit for electrical connectors, insulators, and downhole tools.
• CPVC is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride that exhibits excellent resistance to chemicals, corrosion, and temperatures that makes it ideal for piping systems in oil and gas processing plants to deal with corrosive fluids.

Plastics used in oil and glass exploration, extraction, and refining fall user NAICS codes #211120, 211130, 213112, 324110, and 237120.

• [CPVC 2000 Datasheet]
• [HDPE Datasheet]
• [Nylon Datasheet]
• [PEEK Datasheet]
• [PTFE Datasheet]
• [UHMW Datasheet]
• [PEI/Ultem Datasheet]

Plastics commonly used in oil and gas operations include PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), PEEK (Polyetheretherketone), HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), PAI (Torlon), PEI (Ultem), and nylon. These materials are chosen for their exceptional resistance to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and high pressures, making them ideal for pipes, valves, seals, gaskets, linings, bearings, and other processing equipment components.

Plastics are often preferred over metals in oil and gas applications due to their lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand harsh environments without rusting or degrading. Unlike metals, plastics like PTFE, PEEK, HDPE, UHMW, PAI, PEI, and nylon maintain their performance in chemically aggressive environments, reducing maintenance costs and extending equipment lifespan.

Plastics enhance equipment performance in oil and gas production by providing superior wear resistance, reducing friction, and ensuring durability in extreme conditions. Materials like UHMW and HDPE minimize abrasion and extend the lifespan of components such as bearings, bushings, and pipelines, while PEEK and PTFE improve efficiency by resisting chemical attacks and high temperatures.