# US 2016/0258241 A1 · Downhole tools comprising composite sealing elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258241 A1 - Document ID: US20160258241A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/433,715 - Filed: 2014-06-13 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-13 - Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Inventors: Steven G. STREICH; Charles T. SMITH; Paul M. RAU - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258241A1 ## CPC - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 33/1208: {characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence)} - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A downhole tool comprising a body and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element is composed of a composite material comprising a rubber and a degradable acrylate-based polymer, and wherein at least a portion of the degradable acrylate-based polymer degrades when exposed to an aqueous fluid in a wellbore environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A downhole tool comprising: a body; and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element is composed of a composite material comprising a rubber and a degradable acrylate-based polymer, and wherein at least a portion of the degradable acrylate-based polymer degrades when exposed to an aqueous fluid in a wellbore environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the rubber is a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the degradable acrylate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyester acrylate; a methyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a butyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a polyester acrylate, ethylene, and maleic anhydride terpolymer; and any combination thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the sealing element further comprises a filler material, the filler material capable of at least one of increasing the structural rigidity and the degradation rate of the degradable acrylate-based polymer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The downhole tool of claim 4, wherein the filler material is selected from the group aluminum, tin, zinc, sodium, carbon black, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the sealing element further comprises polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool is a wellbore zonal isolation device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The downhole tool of claim 7, wherein the wellbore zonal isolation device is selected from the group consisting of a frac plug, a bridge plug, a packer, or a cement plug. ### Claim 9 A method comprising: providing a downhole tool comprising a body and a sealing element, the sealing element being composed of a composite material comprising a rubber and a degradable acrylate-based polymer, and wherein at least a portion of the degradable acrylate-based polymer degrades when exposed to an aqueous fluid in a wellbore environment; installing the downhole tool in a wellbore; isolating a portion of the wellbore with the sealing element, the sealing element capable of holding a differential pressure; performing a downhole operation; and degrading at least a portion of the degradable acrylate-based polymer due to exposure to an aqueous fluid in the wellbore environment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the rubber is a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the degradable acrylate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyester acrylate; a methyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a butyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a polyester acrylate, ethylene, and maleic anhydride terpolymer; and any combination thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the sealing element further comprises a filler material, the filler material capable of at least one of increasing the structural rigidity and the degradation rate of the degradable acrylate-based polymer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the filler material is selected from the group aluminum, tin, zinc, sodium, carbon black, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the sealing element further comprises polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 15 A system comprising: a wellbore; and a downhole tool capable of being disposed in the wellbore to fluidly seal two sections thereof, the downhole tool comprising a body and a sealing element, the sealing element being composed of a composite material comprising a rubber and a degradable acrylate-based polymer, and wherein at least a portion of the degradable acrylate-based polymer degrades when exposed to an aqueous fluid in a wellbore environment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the rubber is a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the degradable acrylate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyester acrylate; a methyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a butyl acrylate and ethylene copolymer; a polyester acrylate, ethylene, and maleic anhydride terpolymer; and any combination thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the sealing element further comprises a filler material, the filler material capable of at least one of increasing the structural rigidity and the degradation rate of the degradable acrylate-based polymer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the filler material is selected from the group aluminum, tin, zinc, sodium, carbon black, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the sealing element further comprises polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, any derivative thereof, and any combination thereof.