Chemical attack on plastics differs from the attack on metals.
With metals, and most other materials, damage is usually confined to the
surface and involves corrosion and a loss in weight. When attack occurs
on plastics, however, it generally involves absorption of the chemical reagent,
leading to swelling and softening, and a gain in weight. In extreme cases,
loss of weight may occur when the surface of the plastic is dissolved or
becomes so swollen or decomposed that it crumbles away.
Most of the data on chemical resistance of plastics has been obtained from
short term immersion tests carried out in the laboratory. These tests involve
qualitative assesment of the effect of a reagent on the surface of a specimen
and it is difficult to use these results to predict the performance of
fabricated forms in same. Attack of the surface of specimens in laboratory
tests is recorded as it will probably be observed in practice, e.g. as a
change in surface appearance. However, many factors such as the
concentration of the chemical, the presence of several chemicals which may
be more aggressive than their additive effect, temperature and other service
conditions, all have this effect.
Only in trials on the fabricated article under actual or simulated service
conditions can the stability of the fabric in a specific application be
ascertained for certain.
Chemical Compatibility
PVC Coated Fabrics
Polyethelyne Coated Fabrics
Other Coating Resins
Chemical Resistance of Basecloths
Fibres for Coated Fabrics
Coated Fabric Quick Reference
Basecloth Quick Reference
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