Seal failures
can be costly and embarrassing. They also produce fascinating artistic
masterpieces. The left photo shows a detail of the chassis
of an electronic package, which was folded onto itself... within the confines
of the pressure housing!. This chassis ended up being about 1-1/2 feet
shorter than it's original length. The longitudinal grinding line is where
we split the tube in order to remove this sensual hydraulic artwork. The right
photo shows a detail of a tool's electronics when exposed
to approximately 23,000 psi [1.600 atm] and 460 degF [238 degC]. The individual
electronic chips, as well as the fine wiring connecting them, can be seen
through the collapsed metal case of the transistors.