This standard test method was prepared by NACE International Task Group T-1 G-17 to serve as a tool in the process of evaluating elastomeric materials for use in the oil field and other energy-related areas where sour liquid environments are encountered. This standard may be used by polymer manufacturers, processors, equipment manufacturers, operating companies, or others who desire to compare resistance of various elastomeric materials to a sour liquid environment. The test is an accelerated aging procedure similar to ASTM D 471 (see Section 2), with additional information on sour environment testing under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. If specified test conditions are adhered to, data from separate laboratories that use this test method may be compared. The task group knows of no technical organization that has issued a comparable standard test method.

This standard recommends procedures to measure the ability of elastomeric materials to withstand static exposure to sour liquid environments (e.g., hydrocarbon, water, or mixtures of each with hydrogen sulfide [H2S)) at elevated pressure and temperature, and is not designed to be a functional test. It is designed for testing O-rings or specimens of elastomeric vulcanizates cut from standard sheets (see Paragraph 2.1.9). This standard is not applicable to the testing of cellular rubber or porous compositions.

Historical Document 1996