For the characterization and the comparison of polyethylene grades used for the manufacture of packaging and intermediate bulk container, the following parameters are required: melt flow rate (MFR), density (D), low-temperature notched impact strength, full notch creep test (FNCT) and increase of MFR by molecular degradation (resistance to oxidative degradation). The relationship between these material parameters determined on the basis of specimens prepared from compression-moulded sheets of polyethylene grades and the test behaviour of packaging has been investigated in several tests. The environmental stress crack resistance determined by FNCT represents the impacts from the stacking tests performed with standard liquid wetting solution (without pre-storage) and with normal butyl-acetate-saturated wetting solution (prestorage with normal butyl acetate). Resistance to molecular degradation by the determination of MFR increase is related to the impacts in drop tests and stacking tests performed after pre-storage for 21 days with standard liquid 55% nitric acid at 40°C. The low-temperature impact strength is directly comparable with the impacts in drop tests at −18°C performed without pre-storage and after pre-storage with 55% nitric acid. A partly good relationship was found between the test results and the material parameters. Conditioning the design types with 55% nitric acid for 21 days causes an increase in the marginal drop heights of the design types in drop tests at −18°C when compared with design types without pre-storage. Post-cross-linking of the grades increases stiffness because of the acidic influence.

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 CO 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. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The objective of this research was to determine the resistance of frequently used sealing materials such as fluorocarbon rubber (FKM), fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ), silicone rubber (VMQ), ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), butyl rubber (IIR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), polyester urethane rubber (PUR) and polyamide (PA) in non‐aged/aged biodiesel and heating oil with 10 % biodiesel at 20 °C, 40 °C and 70 °C. Mass, tensile properties and shore hardness A/D (for polyamide) of the test specimens were determined before and after the exposure for 84/42 days in the aged and non‐aged fuels of different age. Biodiesel fuels are easily oxidized and contain acids and water. The sealing materials: acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, chloroprene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene and ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber and were generally not resistant to biodiesel and heating oil with 10 % biodiesel. Fluorocarbon rubber, fluorosilicone rubber and polyamide were the most resistant materials in all tested fuels up to 70 °C. The degree of damage to the sealing materials increased with higher test temperatures and the age of the fuels.

Alloy 59 (NiCr23Mo16Al) with a lot of chromium, molybdenum and nickel possesses excellent resistance not only to reducing but also oxidizing chemicals.Both the Nickel alloy 59 and the superaustenitic steel alloy 31 have already been used as shell materials for tank vehicles or tank containers. Use of these alloys allows the transport of a significantly wider variety of chemicals and, especially, waste mixtures than the use of common austenitic steels. Another advantage is the extension of test interval for transport tanks.In Germany the "BAM-List -Requirements for Tanks for the Transport of Dangerous Goods" is the basis for substance-related prototype approvals for tank containers designed for the carriage of dangerous goods issued by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). Compatibility evaluations of selected metallic material groups as well as polymeric gasket and lining materials under the influence of approximately 7000 dangerous goods and water-polluting substances are published in the BAM-List. Alloy 59 belongs to the group of metallic materials in the BAMList.Due to the large number of dangerous goods in the BAM-List BAM, IKS Dresden and ThyssenKrupp VDM performed a comprehensive corrosion test programme with welded specimens of the nickel alloy 59 and the superaustenitic steels alloy 926 and alloy 31 in the period 2002 -2010. In particular alloy 59 and alloy 31 were exposed to a large number of corrosive substances such as various mixtures of both nitric acid/sulphuric acid and nitric acid/phosphoric acid at 55 °C. Other corrosive test substances were different organic and inorganic halogenides, peroxyacetic acid and molten substances. In the case of molten chemicals such as monochloroacetic acid the test temperature was increased to more than 100 °C. The test results presented in this paper are already included in the 10 th edition of the BAM-List and, therefore, available to the customer.

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