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- 2013 (3)
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- Englisch (3)
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- Biodiesel (2)
- E85 (2)
- Tensile properties (2)
- B10 (1)
- Beständigkeit gegen oxidativen Abbau (1)
- Compatibility (1)
- Eindringtiefen (1)
- FTIR (1)
- FTIR analysis (1)
- Mass loss (1)
The aim of this work was to study the interaction between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) grades as material for dangerous goods packagings and biofuels such as E85 and biodiesel. Jerricans made of two polyethylene (PE) grades were filled with these fuels and exposed to temperatures of 20°C and 40°C for 1 year. Tensile properties (tensile strength, breaking elongation and elasticity modulus) and melt flow rate (MFR) were determined once a month, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate changes in the chemical structure.
Measurements of the MFR and tensile properties of the PE grades after 1 year of exposure to E85 showed only a slightly damaging influence. An increase in the peak of 1585 cm-1 (C=C) stretching vibrations is visible in the FTIR spectra after the immersion tests with E85. Therefore, packagings made of HDPE grades are suitable for the transport of E85.
An increase in the MFR with immersion time of the grades in biodiesel was measured, in particular, after 1 year of exposure. The elasticity modulus of the PE grades was reduced with immersion time. The FTIR spectra showed a broadening of the CO peak of 1740 cm-1 and the appearance of the hydroxyl group at 3500 cm-1. Both results are explained by secondary degradation products of the PE decomposition process caused by increasing unsaturated fatty acid content in the biodiesel. In light of the above mentioned, it was concluded that HDPE grades are not suitable as packaging materials for the transport of biodiesel.
Resistance to oxidative degradation by nitric acid has been selected for a comparison of polyethylene grades in a European standard on suitability proof for alternative plastic resins used for packagings and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) for the transport of dangerous goods. Measurements of the infrared (IR) absorption spectra of microtome slices cut from the walls of jerricans, which were pre-stored with 55% nitric acid for 21 and 42 days at 40°C, showed changes in the structure of the polyethylene. The penetration depths of 55% nitric acid into the polyethylene grades are, in principle, suitable for evaluating the resistance to oxidative degradation of polyethylene grades after pre-storage of the packagings for 21 days. After this period the packaging wall is not fully penetrated. The intensities of the IR bands at 1565 cm-1 (-NO2), 1630 cm-1 (-C=C) and 1654 cm-1 (-O-NO2) increased with the treatment time with 55% nitric acid as a result of oxidative damage by the nitric acid. The high increase in absorbance of the -C=C band in the region 1630 - 1690 cm-1 is attributable to paraffinic chain cracks. The absorbance of the -O-NO2 band, formed as result of the nitration process was still low at a test temperature of 40°C.
Biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) represent an impor-tant renewable fuel alternative to petroleum-derived transport fuels. Increasing bio-fuel use would bring some benefits, such as a reduction in oil demands and green-house gas emissions, and an improvement in air quality.
Materials compatibility is a major concern whenever the fuel composition is changed in a fuel system.
The aim of this work is to study the interaction between sealing materials such as FKM (fluorocarbon rubber), EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber), CR (chloro-prene rubber), CSM (chlorosulfonated polyethylene), NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber), IIR (butyl rubber), VMQ (methyl-vinyl-silicone rubber) and FVMQ (methyl-fluoro-silicone rubber) and biofuels such as biodiesel, E85 (fuel with 85% ethanol) and B10 (heating oil with 10% biodiesel) at 70°C for 84 days. Experiments were con-ducted with tests specimens of theses elastomers to document the changes in the mass and tensile properties of these sealing materials according to ISO 1817.
The exposure tests of the elastomers in E85 at 70°C showed that the weight gain caused by swelling of the test specimens was in the range of 3% to 12%. However, the weight gain of the fluorinated elastomers was at the lower end of this range. Tensile strength and breaking elongation decreased by 22% to 61% or 13% to 77%. The lowest decrease in the tensile properties was determined for FKM, EPDM und IIR. These sealing materials were evaluated as resistant to E85 up to a temperature of 70°C.
Biodiesel absorbed water more quickly and aged faster than conventional diesel fuel. The weight loss of the elastomers varied between 9% (FKM) and 126% (CSM) in biodiesel. FKM was evaluated as resistant with a 16% reduction in tensile strength, a 2% reduction in breaking elongation and low weight loss. NBR, EPDM, CSM and VMQ were evaluated as not resistant. CSM even lost 84% of its original tensile strength and 78% of its breaking elongation.
The highest weight gain as a result of swelling was measured for CSM with 86%, for EPDM with 84% and for VMQ with 54% in B10, while the fluorine-containing elasto-mers FKM (1%) and FVMQ (3%) absorbed much less B10 and swelled less. FKM lost 23% in tensile strength and 17% in breaking elongation; FMVQ lost 29% in ten-sile strength and 36% in breaking elongation. FMVQ was, therefore, only limited in its resistance to B10.
The elastomers NBR, EPDM, CSM and VMQ were not resistant to B10 at all as the decrease in the tensile properties was significantly over 50%. NBR lost about 93% and CSM about 100% of its breaking elongation.
The conclusion of the investigations at 70°C is that FKM is the most resistant sealing material in biodiesel, E85 (fuel with 85% ethanol) and B10 (heating oil with 10% biodiesel).