Effect of Petroleum Products on Buna-S Vulcanizates

Abstract

The authors believe that the tear resistance data presented in this paper should be kept in mind by anyone contemplating the use of Buna-S in applications where occasional contact with petroleum products may occur. The coincidence of the following three conditions on the surface of a Buna-S vulcanizate will amost certainly lead to a serious tear: 1. Cracking (weather cracks, cuts, gouges, snags). 2. Wetting with petroleum products, particularly the lighter variety. 3. Flexing, static or dynamic. The tear will probably continue through the object until the flexing stress is relieved or until a fabric insert is reached. Thus, a tire tread would be torn through to the breaker fabric.