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Chemical Resistance Elvaloy
- January 01, 2016 -
Products made with Elvaloy® KEE (ketone ethylene ester) have shown chemical resistance, being used successfully for many years in a variety of chemical environments. Major applications for these products include roofing and geomembranes as secondary containment for petrochemical storage.
The following table provides a starting point to determine whether an Elvaloy®-based product is appropriate for use in contact with some common industrial chemicals. These ratings are offered as a guide only.
| CHEMICAL | RATING* |
| Acetic acid (50%) | C |
| Acetone | C |
| Asphalt | T |
| ASTM #1 oil | A |
| ASTM #3 oil | A |
| ASTM reference fuel A | A |
| ASTM reference fuel B | A |
| ASTM reference fuel C | B |
| Automatic transmisison fluid | T |
| Benzene | X |
| Butyl alcohol | T |
| Calcium chloride (30%) | A |
| Calcium hydroxide solutions | T |
| Chlorosulfonic acid | X |
| Cyclohexane | B |
| Dioctyl phthalate (DOP) | C |
| Ethyl acetate | C |
| Ethyl alcohol | A |
| Ethylene dichloride | X |
| Ethylene glycol | A |
| Formaldehyde | X |
| Gasoline | B |
| Gear oil | T |
| Glycerine | T |
| Hydrochloric acid (10%) | A |
| CHEMICAL | RATING* |
| Isopropyl alcohol | T |
| Jet fuel, JP-4 | T |
| Kerosene | B |
| Lactic acid | T |
| Linseed oil | A |
| Methyl alcohol | A |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | X |
| Methylene chloride | C |
| Mineral oil | T |
| Naphtha | T |
| Nitric acid (10%) | B |
| Nitric acid (50%) | C |
| Perchloroethylene | X |
| Phenol (50%) | C |
| Sea water | T |
| Soap solution (1%) | T |
| Sodium hydroxide (40%) | A |
| Sulfuric acid (30%) | A |
| Sulfuric acid (97%) | C |
| Tannic acid (10%) | T |
| Tetrahydrofuran | X |
| Tributyl phosphate | X |
| Toluene | C |
| Water | A |
| Xylene | C |
*The ratings generally correlate as follows
| A | Resistant | May be considered for prolonged contact |
| B | Somewhat resistant | May be considered for occasional contact at best |
| C | Not resistant | Inappropriate for contact with this chemical |
| T | No data | Likely to have minor effect |
| X | No data | Likely to have severe effect |
These data represent a summary of several studies on compounds representing typical flexible formulations based on grades of Elvaloy®. Compound samples (unreinforced) were immersed in the fluids for one month at room temperature. The rating criteria were based on volume swell and retention of physical properties after exposure.
The performance of an Elvaloy®-based product in a chemical environment is influenced by a number of factors such as:
- Other ingredients in the compound
- Construction of the product (e.g. reinforcing fabric)
- Temperature and duration of exposure
- Physical performance demands on the product
Consult the membrane manufacturer when determining a Elvaloy® KEE product for a specific application. Membranes should be tested prior to use.