Quantification of styrene–butadiene rubber swelling as a function of the toluene content in gasoline: A new method to detect adulterations of fuels

Abstract

The swelling of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) when exposed to organic solvents was measured and mathematically correlated to the toluene concentration in a complex mixture such as gasoline. This relation enables inferences to be made regarding the composition and quality criteria of the fuel and represents a new method to detect adulterations. Changes in the mass and volume were measured by gravimetric and hydrostatic techniques. A simplex-lattice experimental mixture design was carried out in mixtures with toluene, heptane, and type C gasoline (a blend of gasoline with ethanol) and the mass swelling was statically analyzed for 5 and 15 min of continuous immersion in the mixtures of the solvents. For the experimental design two cubic equations were obtained with a high value for R 2 -ajusted (>0.98) at 25 C 6 1 C correlating mass swelling of SBR and the content of solvents. For both immersion times, the greatest and most important effect over the mass swelling was the content of toluene, with the mass variations increasing proportionally with toluene content in the gasoline. The analysis of variance applied to the mass swelling data verified that it is possible to obtain good mathematical equations to associate the rubber swelling with the solvent composition and concentration.

Study on the Aging Behavior of Natural Rubber/Butadiene Rubber (NR/BR) Blends Using a Parallel Spring Model

“…The specimens were completely immersed in the solvent for 72 h [17] at room temperature, and the wet weight was obtained when the equilibrium swelling was reached. Then, the swollen specimens were dried at room temperature for one day and weighed to obtain the dry weight [18,19]. Table 1.…”

Testing and evaluation of microstructure of organoclay in chlorosulfunated polyethylene nanocomposites by emphasis on solvent transport properties

“…Following can be analyzed using swelling test: Evaluation of rubber network structure (crosslink length, crosslink density, etc.) . Evaluation of polymer–filler and filler–filler interactions (by Kraus plot) . Evaluation of the polymer–solvent interaction parameter ( χ ) . Evaluation of compatibility between polymer and micro‐ and nanofillers . Evaluation of reinforcing capacity of micro‐ and nanofillers in rubber matrix. Evaluation of degree of compatibility in polymer blends . Evaluation of localization of fillers in different phase of polymer blends. Analysis of fuel quality, through quantifying the swelling as a function of the content of aromatic compound in fuel . …”