| abstract |
A seal element ( 70 ) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components ( 74, 78 ) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material ( 212 ) and a plurality of nanostructures ( 220 ) forming a nanocomposite material ( 210 ). The polymer host material ( 212 ) has a plurality of regions of free volume ( 222 ) that receive the nanostructures ( 220 ). The nanostructures ( 220 ) and the polymer host material ( 212 ) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element ( 70 ) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like. |