Table 4. Percentage weight gain of FRE exposed to chemical treatment.
Contact time (days)
Chemical
1
7
14
21
28
56
112
Acetic acid (glacial)
0.9
2.3*
3.1
3.6
3.6
F
Acetone
0.6
1.8
1.8
1.9
2.0
2.2
2.7
Benzaldehyde
0.1
0.1
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.3
Benzene
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Benzyl alcohol
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Bromochloromethane
6.2
11.4
20.8
23.5
24.1
25.6
26.2
N-butylamine
1.5
*F
Carbon tetrachloride
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Chlorobenzene
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.2
Chloroform
0.3
1.8
4.9
4.7
5.5
6.2
7.3
Cyclohexanone
0.0
0.0
0.7
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
1,2-dichlorobenzene
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
1,2-dichloroethane
0.1
0.4
1.3
2.1
2.7
2.8
3.1
trans-1,2-dichloroethylene
0.0
0.4
0.7
1.2
2.4
4.6
8.1
Diethylamine
0.2
1.8
2.0
1.9
2.0
2.0
2.0
Dimethylformamide
1.8
3.0*
F
Gasoline (93 octane, unleaded)
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
Hexane (85% N-hexane)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.1
Hydrochloric acid (25% w/v)
0.1
0.3
0.1
0.2
0.4
1.9
4.7
Kerosene (K-1)
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Methyl alcohol
0.5
1.8
2.9
3.2
3.9
5.2
7.7
Methyl ethyl ketone
0.2
1.3
2.2
2.4
2.4
2.6
3.0
Methylene chloride
4.3
9.7
14.4
15.0
15.4
15.3
15.6
Nitrobenzene
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.5
0.3
0.5
0.4
Sodium hydroxide (25% w/v)
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.0
0.2
0.2
0.2
Tetrachloroethylene
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tetrahydrofuran
0.2
0.7
1.6
2.2
2.6
3.1
3.3
Toluene
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
Trichloroethylene
0.1
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.3
o-xylene
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
particles began to flake off coupon
*
fibers separated
F
measurements were made on these samples.
chloroethylene) (Tables 2, 3). The weight gains
Eight other samples had weight gains of 1 to 10%,
were slightly less for FEP than PTFE. We did not
and samples exposed to bromochloromethane
observe any softening, swelling, or decrease in
(26.2%) and methylene chloride (15.6%) had the
strength in any of these samples when compared
largest weight gains (Table 4). The sample ex-
with unexposed test pieces. For reference, the fi-
posed to the hydrochloric acid solution lost
nal pH of the 25% HCl solution containing the
weight (~5%), most likely a result of loss of the
PTFE samples was 0.75 and the final pH of the
epoxy resin. The alkaline solution had no effect
25% NaOH solution containing the PTFE samples
on this material. None of the FRE specimens ap-
was 13.4.
peared to swell or soften, not even the samples
The FRE well casing material used in this
with the largest weight gain. Some fraying of the
study had a glossy external surface and a dull
edges was observed on some specimens, but it
(frosted) internal surface. Three organic chemi-
is not clear whether this was due to chemical ex-
cals (acetic acid, N-butylamine, and dimethyl-
posure, cutting, or handling. In general, FRE did
formamide) caused some flaking of the external
not appear to be affected by the hydrocarbons or
surface within the first week and separation of
aromatic solvents.
the glass fibers after one to eight weeks. N-butyl-
FRP was more severely degraded than the pre-
amine delaminated FRE after five weeks. The
vious materials. Eight organic solvents (bromo-
particles that flaked off the test pieces did not ap-
chloromethane, N-butylamine, chloroform, 1,2-
pear to dissolve with time. No further weight
5
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