Resistance to oils

A mixed polymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile (Perbunan, Hycar, Chemigum) may be vulcanised like rubber and possesses good resistance to oils and solvents in general. 

Its key properties are good resistance to oils and a very low permeability to most gases. 

Its advantages include impermeability to air, excellent adhesion to metal, and good resistance to oils, weathering, and low temperature. 

It possesses resistance to oils up to 120°C and excellent abrasion resistance and adhesion to metal. 

Nitrile mbber finds broad application in industry because of its excellent resistance to oil and chemicals, its good flexibility at low temperatures, high abrasion and heat resistance (up to 120°C), and good mechanical properties. Nitrile mbber consists of butadiene—acrylonitrile copolymers with an acrylonitrile content ranging from 15 to 45% (see Elastomers, SYNTHETIC, NITRILE RUBBER). In addition to the traditional applications of nitrile mbber for hoses, gaskets, seals, and oil well equipment, new applications have emerged with the development of nitrile mbber blends with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). These blends combine the chemical resistance and low temperature flexibility characteristics of nitrile mbber with the stability and ozone resistance of PVC. This has greatly expanded the use of nitrile mbber in outdoor applications for hoses, belts, and cable jackets, where ozone resistance is necessary. 

Epichlorohydrin. Commercial polyester elastomers include both the homopolymer and the copolymer of epichl orohydrin with ethylene oxide. The very polar chloromethyl groups create basic resistance to oil for these polymers, and they have been extensively used in fuel lines however, the desire for lower fuel permeation is causing a search to be made for other polymers (10) (see Elastomers, synthetic-polyethers). 

Epoxidized natural mbber is stiU a strain crystallising mbber and therefore retains the high tensile strength of natural mbber. However, as can be seen from Table 5, ia other respects they have very Httie ia common. The epoxidation renders a much higher dampiag mbber, a much-improved resistance to oil swelling (iasofar as a 50 mol % modified natural mbber has similar oil resistance to a 34% nitrile mbber), and much-reduced air permeabiUty. This latest form of modified natural mbber therefore widens the appHcations base of the natural material and enables it to seek markets hitherto the sole province of some specialty synthetic mbbers. 

Two propylene oxide elastomers have been commercialized, PO—AGE and ECH—PO—AGE. These polymers show excellent low temperature flexibihty and low gas permeabihty. After compounding, PO—AGE copolymer is highly resiUent, and shows excellent flex life and flexibiUty at extremely low temperatures (ca —65°C). It is slightly better than natural mbber in these characteristics. Resistance to oil, fuels, and solvents is moderate to poor. Wear resistance is also poor. Unlike natural mbber, PO—AGE is ozone resistant and resistant to aging at high temperatures. The properties of compounded ECH—PO—AGE he somewhere between those of ECH—EO copolymer and PO—AGE copolymer (22). As the ECH content of the terpolymer increases, fuel resistance increases while low temperature flexibihty decreases. Heat resistance is similar to ECH—EO fuel resistance is similar to polychloroprene. The uncured mbber is soluble in aromatic solvents and ketones. 

In the hard polymer/elastomer combinations, the elastomer is often chosen to be a polar mbber or it is cross-linked in some cases it is both. Either of these features improves the resistance to oils and solvents (44). 

Nitrile (butadiene Excellent resistance to oils, but not resistant to... 

Natural 225 Good mechanical properties. Impervious to water. Fair to good resistance to acids, alkalies. Poor resistance to oils, gasoline. Poor weathering, aging properties. 

Butyl 300 Very good resistance to water, alkalies, many acids. Poor resistance to oils, gasoline, most solvents (except oj geuated). 

Polysulfide 150 Excellent resistance to oils, gasoline, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. Very good water resistance, good alkali resistance, fair acid resistance. Poor mechanical properties. 

Silicone 600 Excellent beat resistance. Fair water resistance poor resistance to steam at high pressures. Fair to good acid, alkali resistance. Poor (except fluorosibcoue rubber) resistance to oils, solvents. 

Acrylic 450 Good beat resistance but poor cold resistance. Good resistance to oils, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Poor resistance to water, alkalies, some acids. 

Chlorosulfouated polyethylene (Hypalou) 250 Excellent resistance to oxidizing chemicals, ozone, weathering. Relatively good resistance to oils, grease. Poor resistance to aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbons. Good mechanical properties. 

Cork compositions 250 Low cost. Truly compressible materials which permit substantial deflections with negligible side flow. Conform well to irregular surfaces. High resistance to oils good resistance to water, many chemicals. Should not be used with inorganic acids, alkalies, oxidizing solutions, live steam. 

The chlorine atom has two further useful influences on the properties of the polymer. Firstly the polymer shows improved resistance to oil compared with all-hydrocarbon rubbers. The rubbers also have a measure of resistance to burning which may be further improved by use of fire retardants. These features together with a somewhat better heat resistance than the diene hydrocarbon rubbers have resulted in the extensive use of these rubbers over many years. 

Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers have now been available for many years (and were described in the first edition of this book). The adipate polyester-based materials have outstanding abrasion and tear resistance as well as very good resistance to oils and oxidative degradation. The polyether-based materials are more noted for their resistance to hydrolysis and fungal attack. Rather specialised polymers based on polycaprolactone (Section 25.11) may be considered as premium grade materials with good all round properties. 

As with most polyesters, the polymers have quite good resistance to oils, particularly hydrocarbons, but are hydrolysed by acids and bases. 

In emulsion polymerization, NBR with acrylonitrile content between 15 and 50% can be obtained. The increase in the acrylonitrile content in the NBR produces an increase in the polar nature and solubility parameter in the copolymer [12]. Furthermore, the increase in acrylonitrile content improves the resistance to oils and also increases the glass transition temperature of the copolymers from -60 to-lO C. 

Good resistance to oils. Mainly polyisobutylene polymers resist high-oil-content foams and rubber. In some cases swelling may occur. 

Poor resistance to oils and organic solvents. SBR swells in organic solvents and absorbs oils. Vulcanization is necessary to increase oil and organic solvent resistance. 

NBR adhesives are characterized by high resistance to oils and plasticizers, excellent heat resistance and superior adhesion to metallic substrates. 

Superior resistance to oils. NBR has the highest resistance of any of the general elastomers. NBR resists most greases and non-polar solvents. 

Fluorinated rubbers, copolymers of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene-fluorides, have excellent resistance to oils, fuels and lubricants at temperatures up to 200°C. They have better resistance to aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons and most mineral acids than other rubbers, but their high cost restricts their engineering applications. Cheremisinoff et al. [54] provide extensive physical and mechanical properties data on engineering plastics. A glossary of terms concerned with fabrication and properties of plastics is given in the last section of this chapter. 

Vulcanised rubbers possess a range of very desirable properties such as resilience, resistance to oils, greases and ozone, flexibility at low temperatures and resistance to many acids and bases. However, they require careful (slow) processing and they consume considerable amounts of energy to facilitate moulding and vulcanisation. These disadvantages led to the development of thermoplastic rubbers (elastomers). These are materials which exhibit the desirable physical characteristics of rubber but with the ease of processing of thermoplastics. 

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a type of synthetic polymer that has properties between the characteristics of plastics and rubber. It belongs to the thermoplastic elastomer group. The typical procedure of vulcanization in rubber processing generally is not needed for TPU instead, the processing procedure for normal plastics is used. With a similar hardness to other elastomers, TPU has better elasticity, resistance to oil, and resistance to impact at low temperatures. TPU is a rapidly developing polymeric material. 

Molded urethanes are used in items such as bumpers, steering wheels, instrument panels, and body panels. Elastomers from polyurethanes are characterized by toughness and resistance to oils, oxidation, and abrasion. They are produced using short-chain polyols such as polytetram-ethylene glycol from 1,4-butanediol. Polyurethanes are also used to produce fibers. Spandex (trade name) is a copolymer of polyurethane (85%) and polyesters. 

SB Service typical of engines operating in conditions such that only minimum protection of the type afforded by additives is desired. Oils designed for this service have been used since the 1930s they provide only anti-scuff capability and resistance to oil oxidation and bearing corrosion. 

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