Investigation of elastomer compatibility with alternative fuels by mass change study, stress-relaxation test and FTIR spectroscopy

Yue Liu*, Christopher W. Wilson, Simon G. Blakey, Patrick Theato

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Global efforts to reduce CO 2 emissions and to tackle the problem of depleting petroleum resources have stimulated the exploitation of alternative fuels in the aviation industry. One crucial aspect amongst others is to investigate the compatibility of alternative fuels with elastomeric materials currently used in gas turbine engines. However, limited knowledge about this has been understood so far for commercial aircrafts under real engine conditions. This study combines Stress-Relaxation test and FTIR spectroscopy techniques to look at the effect of alternative fuels on O-rings made from different materials; such as nitrile, fluorocarbon and fluorosilicone. Mass change behaviors of these O-rings immerged in various solvents were also monitored to compare with the stress relaxation results. Results indicated that both fluorosilicone and fluorocarbon O-rings showed excellent compatibility with the candidate solvents, whilst nitrile O-rings were very sensitive to the different compositions of the solvents. Mass change behavior of nitrile O-ring also showed similar pattern to those of its stress relaxation. FTIR spectrum analysis showed molecular composition changes are dependent on the reactions between different materials and solvents. For fluorosilicone O-rings, the absorbance reduction from 1150 to 1050 cm -1 was caused by the cleavage of (Si-O-Si) while the formation of new O-H bonds enhanced the intensity from 3000 to 2800 cm -1. For fluorocarbon O-rings, obvious increase in absorption could be found in the region from 1400 to 650 cm -1, while from 3000 to 2800 cm -1, the absorption decreased. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated a highly correlated relationship between the chemical structure changes and the force relaxation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication12th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels 2011
Pages340-372
Number of pages33
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Event12th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels 2011, IASH 2011 - Sarasota, FL, United States
Duration: 16 Oct 201120 Oct 2011

Publication series

Name12th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels 2011
Volume1

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Stability, Handling and Use of Liquid Fuels 2011, IASH 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySarasota, FL
Period16/10/1120/10/11

Bibliographical note

Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Alternative fuels
  • FTIR
  • O-ring
  • Stress-relaxation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fuel Technology

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