Table of Contents
The behaviour of Compacfoam with chemical substances
Compacfoam is EPS with very high density without additional ingredients. The resistance of EPS foams (Styropor R) against chemical substances corresponds to that of moulded parts made of polystyrene. Because of the increased surface due to the cell structure, damage occurs more quickly or has a greater effect than in the case of the compact basic material polystyrene.
Hence the resistance to chemical assaults depends essentially on the density of the material EPS foams such as Compacfoam with a moulded density of 100-400kg/m³ are therefore in principle more resistant than façade EPS with a density of up to ~20kg/m³, for example.
Knowledge of the behaviour of Styropor foams on contact with the chemical substances used in practice (construction, packaging) is very important for avoiding errors in use.
To estimate the resistance, results of resistance testing from the chemical industry were used. These tests were performed in keeping with DIN 53 428 “Testing of foams, determination of behaviour with fluids, vapours, gases and solid substances.” According to this standard, 5 foam cubes with an edge measuring 5 cm are stored in the test medium and after a defined storage period the alterations appearing in the test bodies – e.g., in mass and size alterations – are determined. The storage periods were 72 hours in liquid test media, 24 hours in gases and at least 3 hours in liquefied gases. In the case of storage in liquefied gases, the temperatures in each case were at or slightly under the boiling points of said substance, and in the other text media, at room temperature.
According to DIN 52 428, evaluation criteria of 0 = not altered, to 5 = considerably altered were suggested for visual evaluations. Using these criteria, the following list of evaluation criteria was made for simplified overview in the table:
+ …. not altered (0) = invariable
+– …. slightly altered (2)= conditionally variable (small size alterations)
– …. considerably altered (5) = instable
For evaluation of possible damage of the mechanical stability values by substances that are often unavoidable in the environment for application.
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide
Diesel fuel
carburator benzine fuel with benzene
These influences were investigated with an extensive test process by Innsbruck University, and no negative influence could be determined.
Read more: Beständigkeit-gegen-Benzin-Diesel-Schwefeldioxid-Stickstoffoxid
If Styropor foams come into contact with substances of unknown composition, e.g., with lacquer or adhesives that could contain damaging solvents, then a previous trial must be made under conditions similar to those in practice to ensure that the foam is not corroded. Performing the test at temperatures greater than 20 °C, e.g. at 50 °C, can considerably shorten the test. In order to intensify test conditions and obtain a clearer result, foams with considerably lower moulded density that those for intended use could be tested. The table below illustrates the behaviour of Styropor foams with the most important chemical substances.
Water
| Water | + |
| Sea Water | + |
Bases
| ammonia water | + |
| bleaching lye (hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide) | + |
| lime potash | + |
| lime water | + |
| sodium hydroxide | + |
| soap solutions | + |
Diluted acids:
| formic acid, 50% | + |
| acetic acid, 50% | + |
| hydrogen fluoride, 4% | + |
| hydrogen fluoride, 40% | + |
| phosphoric acid, 7% | + |
| phosphoric acid, 50% | + |
| nitric acid, 13% | + |
| nitric acid, 50% | + |
| hydrochloric acid, 7% | + |
| hydrochloric acid, 18% | + |
| sulphuric acid, 10% | + |
| sulphuric acid, 50% | + |
Concentrated acids:
| formic acid, 99% | + |
| acetic acid, 96% | – |
| propionic acid, 99% | – |
| nitric acid, 65% | + |
| hydrochloric acid, 36% | + |
| sulphuric acid, 98% | + |
Fuming acids:
| nitric acid | – |
| sulphuric acid | – |
Anhydrides:
| acetic acid anhydride | – |
| carbon dioxide, stable | + |
| sulphuric trioxide | – |
Weak acids:
| humic acid | + |
| carbonic acid | + |
| lactic acid | + |
| tartaric acid | + |
| citric acid | + |
Gases:
a) inorganic
| ammonia gas | – |
| bromine | – |
| chlorine | – |
| sulphur dioxide | – |
b) organic
| butadiene | – |
| butane | – |
| butelyne | – |
| natural gas | + |
| ethane | + |
| ethelyne | + |
| ethine | + |
| methane | + |
| propane | + |
| propene | + |
| propene oxide | – |
Liquefied gases:
a) inorganic
| ammonia gas | + |
| inert gases | + |
| oxygen (explosion hazard) | + |
| sulphur dioxide | – |
| nitrogen | + |
| hydrogen | + |
b) organic
| methane | + |
| ethane | + |
| ethelyne | – |
| ethelyne oxide | – |
| ethine | – |
| propane | – |
| propene | – |
| propene oxide | – |
| butane | – |
| butelyne | – |
| butadiene | – |
| natural gas | + |
Aliphatic compounds:
| cyclohexane | – |
| diesel fuel, fuel oil EL | – |
| heptane | – |
| hexane | – |
| paraffin oil | +– |
| mineral turpentine 55 – 95 °C | – |
| mineral turpentine 155 –185 °C | – |
| Vaseline | + |
| carburator benzine fuel with benzene (normal and super) | – |
Alcohols:
| methanol | +– |
| ethanol | +– |
| ethylene glycol | + |
| diethylene glycol | + |
| isopropyl alcohol | + |
| butyl alcohol | +– |
| hexhydrophenol | + |
| glycerine | + |
| coconut oil | + |
Amines:
| aniline | – |
| diethylamine | – |
| ethylamine | + |
| triethylamine | – |
Other organic substances:
| acetone | – |
| acetonitrile | – |
| acrylonitrile | – |
| dimethylformamide | – |
| esters | – |
| ethers | – |
| halocarbons | – |
| ketones | – |
| paint thinner | – |
| olive oil | + |
| tetrahydrofuran | – |
Inorganic building materials:
| anhydrite | + |
| plaster | + |
| lime | + |
| sand | + |
| cement | + |
Organic building materials:
| bitumen | + |
| cold bitumen and water-based bitumen fillers | + |
| cold bitumen and aroma-free solvent-based bitumen fillers | – |
Aromas:
| benzene | – |
| cumene | – |
| ethylbenzene | – |
| phenol, water solution 1% | + |
| phenol, water solution 33% | – |
| styrene | – |
| toluene | – |
| xylene | – |
Vapors of:
| camphor | – |
| naphthaline | - |
No conclusions can be derived for specific applications from our information. Possible proprietary rights and existing laws and provisions must be observed by the recipient of our products at his own responsibility.
Sources:
BASF AG, technical information 48307 March 2001
Innsbruck University, Department for Materials Technology: Evaluation of chemical alteration resistance of Compacfoam (2009)
