Explosive Decompression in Elastomers Internal blistering and fracturing in rubbers after high pressure exposure to gases

When elastomers are exposed to gas at high pressures, the gas enters the elastomers by solution and diffusion processes. If the pressure is removed rapidly, the system becomes supersaturated and gas comes quickly out of solution, causing blistering and fracture of the elastomer (so-called explosive decompression). Factors and some theory involved in the gas ingress and decompression stages are discussed. Data are presented from high pressure permeation measurements, showing deviations from simple predictions, and explosive decompression experiments, showing several forms of failure. Important parameters are seen to be the solubility coefficient of gas in elastomer at the actual pressure, and moduli and tearing energy of the elastomer. However the situation remains one of extreme complexity.