SORPTION OF SULFUR MUSTARD AND ITS OXYGEN ANALOG IN BLACK AND NONBLACK-FILLED BUTYL RUBBER MEMBRANES

Butyl rubber (IIR) membranes containing a 0-50% volume fraction of car bon black(GPF N660) or nonblack fillers (talc/precipitated CaCO3/fulle rs earth) were prepared by solution casting and evaluated for permeati on resistance to the vesicant, bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, or sulfur m ustard (SM) and its oxygen analog (OA), bis(2-chloroethyl)ether. The d iffusivity of the chemicals was determined from the breakthrough time (BTT), obtained using the spot disc test; and a gravimetric method. Th e permeation parameters, calculated from the sorption data, were used to determine an optimum filler content for maximum protection against SM. To investigate the effect of carbon loading on the permeation prop erties of IIR, the permeation of SM and OA in carbon-loaded black memb ranes was compared with nonblack membranes and interpreted in terms of the dispersion of carbon in the membranes. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons Inc.