Development of Frost-Resistant Sealing Polymer Materials to Reduce Helium Losses during Pipeline Transportation of Helium-Bearing Natural Gas

The article presents the results of studies of polymeric materials for helium permeability. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that promising materials for the development of seals to reduce helium losses during pipeline transportation of helium-bearing natural gas are ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene obtained using the technology of plastic deformation of polymer blanks. The developed technology allows obtaining isotropic polymeric materials with increased strength properties and reduced creep, which are promising for use in the designs of movable and fixed seals operating at elevated stresses and temperatures.