The petroleum industry includes the production of gasoline, kerosene, distillate fuel oils, residual fuel oils, and lubricants. Industry segments include oil and gas exploration, crude oil refining, distribution and marketing.
Because of the literal “explosive” nature of petroleum products, rubber components for this industry are made to withstand stresses that include high or low pressure, high temperatures, corrosion, erosion and constant use.
Typical products include seals for oil storage tanks, hoses for loading oil, oil-resistant hoses, and gate seals for hydroelectric dams and levees. Other common products for the petroleum industry include:
- Rubber gaskets
- Backup rings
- Rubber bushes
- Hydraulic seals
- Pressure seals
- Valve seals and diaphragms
- Rubber pads
- Rubber linings
- Quad rings or X Rings
- Rubber hoses
- Cap Seals
- Rubber tubing
- O-Rings
- Grommets
- Couplings
Because of the highly specific requirements of the petroleum industry, a wide range of materials are used to manufacture these components, including:
- EPDM
- Fluoroelastomers
- Viton
- Neoprene
- Nitrile
- Silicone
- Natural rubber
- Chlorosulfonated polyethylene
- Butyl
- Styrene Butadiene Rubber
- Fluorosilicone
- PTFE
- HNBR
- Afla
A lot goes into the design and manufacturing of high-quality rubber components for the petroleum industry. TMI has an experienced staff ready to assist with the design, material selection and final production of high quality petroleum industry rubber parts.