Explosive decompression (ED), also referred to as rapid gas decompression (RGD), is a failure mechanism of elastomer seals which is due to the rapid decompression of gaseous media. When elastomer seals are exposed to high-pressure gas at elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time the gas absorbs into the polymer compound. When the external pressure is reduced, the gas dissolved within the material comes out of solution to form micro bubbles. Download this paper to learn more!