CNPC USA CNPC USA

Houston Technology Research Center

Materials Testing & Consulting Services

Materials Qualification, Failure Analysis & Engineering Support

CNPC USA provides materials testing and consulting services from our laboratory in Katy, serving Houston and customers worldwide. Our capabilities include mechanical testing, HPHT aging, rapid gas decompression, thermal analysis, FTIR, sealing-material performance testing, failure analysis, and materials recommendations.

Testing can be planned around applicable ASTM, ISO and NORSOK methods or customer-defined procedures. Our engineering team works with customers to define the test objective, specimen configuration, media, pressure, temperature and reporting requirements before testing begins.

Request a Testing Consultation View Testing Capabilities

Key Test Conditions

Mechanical Testing
RT to 300°C
Method and specimen dependent
Seal Element Testing
Up to 30 ksi
Up to 760°C for qualified configurations
Test Programs
Standard or Customized
ASTM, ISO, NORSOK or customer-defined procedures

Maximum conditions depend on fixture design, specimen size, media, safety review and final project scope.

Five Core Service Areas

Materials Testing and Consulting Capabilities

Each program is scoped around the material, operating environment, applicable method and the engineering decision the customer needs to make.

01

Mechanical Testing at Room and High Temperature

Mechanical-property testing from room temperature up to 300°C, subject to the selected method and specimen configuration.

  • Tensile testing: ASTM D412, ASTM D638, ASTM D1708, ISO 37, ISO 527 and ASTM E8/E8M
  • Compression testing: ASTM D575, ASTM D695 and ASTM E9
  • Flexural testing: ASTM D790, ASTM D7264, ISO 178 or customer-defined methods
  • Compression set: ASTM D395
  • Rockwell hardness: ASTM E18
  • Microindentation hardness: ASTM E384; ASTM E140 conversions when applicable
  • Shore A and Shore D durometer hardness: ASTM D2240
02

Compatibility and Aging Testing

Evaluate how non-metallic materials change after exposure to pressure, temperature, gas and liquid service environments.

  • HPHT aging programs: developed with reference to ISO 23936, NORSOK M-710, ASTM D471 or approved customer procedures
  • Customized aging testing: customer-defined temperatures, pressures, durations, specimen geometries and acceptance criteria
  • Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD): NORSOK M-710, ISO 23936-2 or customer-defined methods
  • Available media: CO2, N2, aqueous fluids, hydrocarbons, oil-based fluids and customer-defined media
03

Analytical Testing and Material Characterization

Characterize thermal, viscoelastic, chemical and microstructural properties to support qualification and troubleshooting.

  • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA): viscoelastic response, modulus and transition behavior
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): thermal transitions, melting and cure behavior
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): thermal stability and mass-loss behavior
  • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): material identification and chemical-functional-group comparison
  • Microstructure analysis: digital microscopy for surface, fracture and cross-section evaluation
04

Sealing Materials and Element Performance Testing

Support rubber-compound development, test-specimen preparation and functional evaluation of sealing materials and elements.

  • Moving Die Rheometer (MDR): cure characteristics and rubber-compound processing behavior
  • Rubber coupon molding: preparation of test coupons for approved testing programs
  • Rubber abrasion testing: comparative wear and durability evaluation
  • Sealing-element pressure-hold testing: up to 30,000 psi and 760°C for qualified test configurations
  • Dissolution testing: performance evaluation of dissolvable materials and components

For larger-scale HPHT tool and element testing, see the Mechanical/HPHT Testing facility.

05

Materials Consulting Services

Engineering interpretation that connects test results and observed damage to material and application decisions.

Failure Analysis

Review service history, damage features, microscopy, hardness, mechanical and analytical data to help identify likely failure mechanisms.

Materials Recommendation

Compare candidate materials against temperature, pressure, media, mechanical loads, sealing requirements and expected service life.

Project Scoping

What to Include in a Testing Request

Providing the following information helps our team recommend an appropriate method and prepare an accurate scope.

  1. 1.Material type, grade and supplier information
  2. 2.Test objective or engineering question
  3. 3.Applicable standard or customer procedure
  4. 4.Specimen dimensions and available quantity
  5. 5.Temperature, pressure, duration and test media
  6. 6.Required measurements, acceptance criteria and report format

Katy, Texas

Materials Testing Laboratory

Universal testing system used for mechanical materials testing at CNPC USA
Dynamic mechanical analysis equipment for polymer and elastomer characterization
Digital microscope used for material microstructure and failure analysis

Common Questions

Materials Testing FAQ

What materials can your laboratory test?

We support elastomers, rubber compounds, plastics, thermoplastics, composites, metals, sealing materials, molded coupons and customer-supplied components, subject to project and specimen review.

Can you test to ASTM, ISO or NORSOK methods?

Yes. Programs may reference applicable ASTM, ISO and NORSOK methods or customer-defined procedures. The final method, geometry, media and acceptance criteria are confirmed during scope review.

What media can be used for aging and compatibility testing?

Available media may include CO2, N2, aqueous fluids, hydrocarbons, oil-based fluids and customer-defined media, depending on pressure, temperature, material compatibility and safety review.

Do you provide consulting after testing?

Yes. Our consulting services include failure analysis and materials recommendations based on the application, service environment, observed damage and available test data.

Discuss Your Materials Testing or Consulting Need

Send us the material, operating conditions, applicable standard and the engineering question you need the test program to answer.

Contact the Materials Lab
Laboratory Expert

Jason Ren

Research Center

22130 Merchants Way, Suite 190
Katy, TX 77449

Corporate Headquarters

2901 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77042