Method of manufacturing a heat-shrink elastomeric element
Provided are methods and systems for manufacturing and using heat-shrink elastomeric. An example method of manufacturing a heat-shrink elastomeric element comprises providing a thermoplastic elastomeric element having a first shape; modifying the thermoplastic elastomeric element to produce a thermoset elastomeric element having the first shape; heating the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element; adjusting the first shape of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce a second shape with at least one dimension greater than that of the first shape; and cooling the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce the heat-shrink elastomeric element.
1. A method of manufacturing a heat-shrink elastomeric element comprising:
providing a thermoplastic elastomeric element having a first shape;
irradiating at least a portion of the thermoplastic elastomeric element with a radiation dose of between about 5 to about 300 kilogray to produce a thermoset elastomeric element having the first shape;
heating the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element;
adjusting the first shape of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce a second shape with at least one dimension greater than that of the first shape; and
cooling the thermoset elastomeric element to a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature of the thermoset elastomeric element to produce the heat-shrink elastomeric element.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric element comprises an amorphous thermoplastic polymer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset elastomeric element comprises a thermoset polymer comprising a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylate, acrylamide, urethane, and any combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the heat-shrink elastomeric element as a sealing element, a clamping element, or as a heat-activated actuating element.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a heat-shrink elastomeric swellable packer.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a component of a cable clamp.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is an o-ring.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrink elastomeric element is a component of a centralizer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irradiating the thermoplastic elastomeric element comprises irradiating with a radiation dose in at least one localized area of the thermoplastic elastomeric element.