Polyepichlorohydrin Rubber Compounds for Service in Ethanol-Containing Fuel Applications

Development of new “green” or biofuel technologies is requiring re-evaluation of many traditional fossil-fuel system elastomers. Since polyepichlorohydrin rubbers have a long and reliable record of fossil fuel service, it stands to reason that they would certainly be viable candidates for study. Recently laboratory and field collaborations have resulted in Hydrin®/ECO elastomers being utilized in biodiesel hoses and ancillary components. But what of bio-based fuels such as those containing ethanol? This paper explores the concept further and evaluates polyepichlorohydrin elastomer compounds after long-term exposure to various blends of ethanol-containing fuels. In addition to polyepichlorohydrin, other common fuel service elastomers are also evaluated. Analysis is made as to the applicability of these materials in various fuel service applications.