Choosing the right material: EPDM or Nitrile watertight seals for offshore applications

A water tight seal is used to protect marine applications from leaks and structural damage to ensure ongoing operational efficiency of vessels and rigs in some of the world’s most hostile and harsh environments.

Several rubber materials can be used as water tight seal solutions for marine vessels, including natural rubber and viton, or even polyurethane materials, due to their ability to be manufactured in a wide range of shore hardness. Some of the most used materials for watertight seals in the marine industry include EPDM and nitrile rubber because of their extremely suitable properties.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we work with clients operating in a range of industries, including those operating in marine and offshore and wind energy sectors, to provide bespoke rubber solutions, like a water tight seal, for any application.

What is a water tight seal?

A water tight seal is a secure closure which prevents water and other fluids from entering or escaping a container, compartment or structure. This type of seal is engineering to withstand extreme levels of pressure, crucial for keeping items dry, ensuring structural integrity in wet environments.

Rubber products in the marine industry are essential items needed to ensure the smooth operation of important applications. In marine environments, vessels are used to securely store and transport cargo and in specific sectors, like the oil and gas industry, the safe transportation of potentially harmful fluids, like crude oil and processed hydrocarbons is critical.

In these scenarios, watertight seals are used to create secure, leak-proof barriers against high pressures, corrosive saltwater and extreme temperatures.

Why are watertight seals important for offshore environments?

The machinery and equipment used in offshore applications is important and often delicate. Since they are exposed to extreme environments, like corrosive saltwater, harsh chemicals and often very low or very high temperatures, watertight seals are used to:

• Enhance safety and buoyancy on doors, hatches and cable entries
• Ensure corrosion resistance to protect internal structures from saltwater damage and degradation
• Allow equipment protection from water, dust and dirt
• Maintain pressure management to prevent high-pressure leakage of oil, water or chemicals

Choosing EPDM rubber for your water tight seal

Choosing the right marine rubber for a water tight seal is essential because rubber materials have different properties, making them more suitable for use in certain conditions.

EPDM is often selected as a material for offshore environments because of its high resistance to environmental degradation which ensures long-term sealing integrity.

Strengths of EPDM rubber

EPDM rubber is used in offshore applications because of its numerous benefits.

Not only does it boast exceptional resistance to moisture because of its non-polar and saturated backbone, meaning it ensures long-term sealing integrity for hatches, windows and electrical systems, but EPDM is also highly resistant to UV radiation and saltwater, can withstand constant exposure to saltwater and has a broad temperature operating range of -40°C to 120°C.

Choosing nitrile rubber for your water tight seal

The role of nitrile watertight seals in the oil and gas industry is very similar to their use in the offshore and marine sectors, particularly because of nitrile’s unique properties.

Strengths of nitrile rubber

Nitrile rubber is chosen as a primary rubber material for offshore applications because it excels in harsh environments and, unlike EPDM, has superior resistance to oils, fuels and petroleum-based fluids.

It is an extremely durable material which has low gas permeability, wear resistance and strong resistance to compression set, meaning it maintains its shape and functionality even after being under extreme pressure for prolonged periods of time. Nitrile also performs effectively in a wide temperature range of -40°C to 120°C, meaning it is suitable for cold subsea environments and hot engine compartments.

How to identify when offshore applications need a new water tight seal

Knowing when your offshore application requires a replacement water tight seal is essential in the marine industry. You should complete regular inspections and proactive maintenance to identify any potential problems which could cause damage to vessels, rigs and health and safety risks.

Conducting inspections for visual damage, like cracks, tears, hardening or swelling of the seal material is one of the most important ways to look for problems with your water tight seal. If there has been a loss of compression, leakage or excessive moisture, discolouration, increased friction and heat or excessive rust and corrosion, your seal may be failing or already damaged.

You can also conduct water hose or ultrasonic testing, a light test or compression check, or complete ongoing performance monitoring to discover any issues with the seals or other aspects of any offshore application.

Aquaseal Rubber provides a water tight seal solutions for all offshore applications

Selecting the most suitable water tight seal solution for any offshore application, from marine vessel to offshore rig, is an important part of the repair and replacement process. It is essential to choose the correct rubber material, whether EPDM or nitrile, or another type of rubber, to ensure the safe operation and optimal performance of your application.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we work with clients operating in several industries to provide a range of bespoke rubber products to support their projects. Our team is ready to offer customised support to ensure you receive the correct product for your application.

Contact us to discuss your requirements and see how we can help you.