The Effect of Plasticizer Extraction By Jet FUEL on a Nitrile Hose Compound

The contamination of fuel by ingredients such as plasticizers used in hose formulations needs to be minimized without compromising the low temperature capability of the compound which generally contains high levels of plasticizers. This investigation will screen a series of six ester based plasticizers in a reference nitrile rubber hose compound with respect to extractability resistance in jet fuel. Plasticizers range from monomeric to polymeric in structure and vary in polarity. Screening compounds were mechanically mixed, shaped and molded into tensile sheets. Test samples were then tested for tensile properties, low temperature resistance (down to -40°C) and extractability resistance in jet fuel. The end goal is to understand the driving forces behind plasticizer extractability and how to minimize its effect in hose applications. An optimized formulation balancing low temperature and plasticizer extractability performance is proposed.