Effect of gasoline contamination on the permeation of organic liquids through rubber membranes

The effect of gasoline and oil contamination on the barrier properties of n atural rubber, nitrile rubber and bromobutyl rubber have been experimentall y studied for the following organic environmental contaminants: dichloromet hane, acetone and toluene. Oil contamination has little effect on the subse quent transport of these organic penetrants. However, gasoline contaminatio n alters the subsequent transport behavior of these organic penetrants, dep ending on the nature of the rubber and the contamination conditions. Nitril e rubber experiences minor effects, while natural rubber is severely affect ed. Penetrant breakthrough rimes as well as limiting diffusion coefficients increase with increasing temperature and/or contamination time.