Rapid gas decompression, sometimes called explosive decompression, is the result of gases permeating into a material and then expanding when the high-pressure gas surrounding the material is released.  The gas trapped inside the material may escape without damage, or it may create surface blisters, cracking, and voids.  Elastomers are usually the subject of rapid gas decompression damage but under extreme conditions even plastics can be damaged.

Alpine Polytech can perform rapid gas decompression testing to standards such as NORSOK M710, ISO 23936-2, NACE TM0192, and NACE TM0297 as well as custom methods. Testing can be performed with gas and gas mixtures including sour, flammable, and hazardous gases to high pressures and temperatures ranging from cryogenic to 400°C+. Computer based data acquisition and control systems allow for precise automated bleed rates and profiles.

Gases available for RGD testing include:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
• Methane (CH4)
• Hydrogen (H2)
• Ammonia (NH3)

Keywords: Rapid Gas Decompression, Explosive Decompression, ISO 23936-2, NORSOK M710, NACE TM0192, NACE TM0297