/ Hammer Union Seals
High-Heat FKM Union Seals (Fig 602/1002) for Steam Service
In the complex world of well stimulation and flowback, fluids are rarely pure. They are cocktails of acids, solvents, corrosion inhibitors, and hydrocarbons. Standard NBR seals disintegrate in these mixtures, and HNBR has limits.
Technical Specifications
- Working Pressure Ratings: 1,000 PSI to 22,500 PSI (depending on union rating)
- Durometer: 80-95 Shore A
Applications
- Hydraulic Fracking: High-pressure sand and proppant injection lines.
- Flowback Operations: Managing post-frac fluids and gases.
- Choke & Kill Manifolds: Safety-critical well control connections.
- Mud Lines: Circulating drilling mud systems.
- Acidizing & Cementing: Handling abrasive cement slurries and acid fluids.
High-Heat FKM Union Seals (Fig 602/1002) for Steam Service
1. Executive Summary: Surviving the Heat Spike
While Figure 602 and 1002 unions are often used for mud and water, they are also the standard connection for Steam Lines, Heater Treaters, and Hot Oil Units. In these applications, temperatures routinely exceed 300°F—the death zone for NBR and HNBR.
Our High-Heat FKM Union Seals are designed to thrive where others melt. Capable of continuous operation at 400°F (204°C) with intermittent spikes to 450°F, these seals maintain their hardness and modulus, ensuring a leak-free seal on hot oil circulation lines and thermal recovery piping.
2. Material Science: Managing Steam & Heat
The Steam Paradox
Standard FKM is excellent for dry heat but can suffer from hydrolysis (water attack) in high-pressure steam.
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Our Formulation: We utilize a specialized, hydrolytically stable cure system and compound formulation that significantly improves resistance to hot water and low-to-medium pressure steam compared to standard bisphenol-cured FKM.
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Thermal Set: At 400°F, most rubbers take a “compression set” (flatten out permanently). Our High-Heat FKM resists this, maintaining the “spring-back” force required to seal even after the line cools down (thermal cycling).
3. Comprehensive Data Sheet
| Technical Parameter | Specification |
| Material | High-Temp FKM (Heat Stabilized) |
| Union Compatibility | Fig 602 (6K) & Fig 1002 (10K) |
| Temp Range | +400°F Continuous / +450°F Peak |
| Steam Resistance | Good for Hot Oil / Wet Steam |
| Durometer | 90 Shore A |
| Fluid Service | Hot Crude, Thermal Oil, Steam |
| Color | Orange / Brown |
4. Comparative: NBR vs. HNBR vs. FKM in Heat
| Material | Max Temp | Failure Mode in Heat |
| NBR (Buna) | 250°F | Hardens, cracks, loses chunking. |
| HNBR | 325°F | Softens, extrudes through gap. |
| FKM (High-Heat) | 400°F+ | Remains elastic and stable. |
5. Application: Hot Oiling Units
“Hot Oiling” involves pumping heated oil/water into tubing to remove paraffin wax.
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The Challenge: The fluid is hot (300°F+), contains hydrocarbons (oil), and is pumped at pressure.
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The Solution: Only High-Heat FKM can handle the combination of extreme heat AND oil. (EPDM handles heat but fails in oil; NBR handles oil but fails in heat).