Thanks to advancements in technology and innovation, our society has seen a rapid increase in the demand for energy over the last few decades. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the world’s total energy consumption is projected to increase 50 percent by the year 2050. This emergence has benefited numerous energy industries, especially those in oil and gas. Although alternative energy markets like solar and wind continue to see increased interest and use, oil and gas consumption has remained the primary source of energy around the world. However, in order to continue to meet this demand, this industry will need to rely on high quality machines and parts that can withstand the harsh environments that are often present. Performance plastic materials offer the perfect solution due to their durability and longevity.
Advantages of Performance Plastics
There are few materials that can stand up to the ruthless conditions in the oil and gas industry like performance plastics. These materials are perhaps the most efficient products to use because they were specifically designed to be versatile and durable in a variety of environments. The machines that many of these energy companies rely on are not cheap, and they are expected to be in perfect working condition at all times. In the past, many of these energy companies relied on traditional metallic parts to keep their equipment running smoothly. However, performance plastics have proven their ability to outperform and outlast metal materials. As a result, these companies have seen reductions in costs and equipment downtime. But what makes performance plastics so special?
Common Products and Applications
There are a variety of industrial products to choose from at Piedmont Plastics, and each product offers its own unique set of benefits depending on its intended industrial application. For example, PEEK is a very common material used in the oil and gas industry because of its great performance characteristics. Some characteristics of PEEK include low moisture absorption, high chemical-, wear-, and thermal-resistance, and its ability to retain physical properties in extreme environments. In addition, PTFE is another common material found in this industry, and it offers a low coefficient of friction, excellent electrical properties, high chemical resistance, and stability in wide temperature ranges. Polycarbonate sheet may also be used for areas that require additional safety and protection. This material is extremely versatile, but it is typically used for safety partitions because of its superior impact resistance, strength, and flexibility. As a result, polycarbonate sheet is perfect for protective applications that prevent operators from being exposed to potentially harmful projectiles and hazardous fluids. Other performance plastic materials that are often found in this industry include nylon, and acetal, which offer similar benefits.
Some common performance plastics industrial applications include:
- Valve seats
- Bearings and bushings
- Pump housings
- Lantern rings
- Seals and gaskets
- Compressor seats
- Wear pads
Contact Us
At Piedmont Plastics, we offer a wide variety of performance plastic materials for your industrial or oil and gas applications. Contact us to inquire about our various solutions or call us today to speak with an industrial market expert!