Butyl rubber as a storage tank liner for high active surfactant?

[jeevesme]

A colleague is wanting to know if they can use a tank with a Butyl rubber liner in it for a high active surfactant product. This is what I found in the SDS(hope it helps). Thanks in advance.


Alcohols, C10-16

CAS Number: 67762-41-8 Content (W/W): 0.2 - 0.3% Synonym: Alcohols, (C==10-16)​

(OLIGOMER) Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated (> 1 < 2.5 mol EO)

CAS Number: 68002-97-1 Content (W/W): 1.0 - 3.0% Synonym: No data available.​

Alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated, sulfates, sodium salts(> 1 < 2.5 mol EO)

CAS Number: 68585-34-2 Content (W/W): 50.0 - 75.0% Synonym: No data available.​

Form: Pasty
Odour: slight odour
Odour threshold: not applicable
Colour: cream
pH value: 7.0 -9.0
decomposition point: > 206 °C The substance / product decomposes.
boiling temperature: <100C
Flash point: <250C
Flammability: not flammable
Flammability of Aerosol Products: not applicable, the product does not form flammable aerosols
Lower explosion limit: For liquids not relevant for classification and labelling.
Upper explosion limit: For liquids not relevant for classification and labelling.
Autoignition: not determined
Vapour pressure: not determined
Density: 1.07 -1.1 g/cm3 ( 20 °C)
Vapour density: not applicable
Partitioning coefficient n­octanol/water {log Pow): 0.3 ( 23 °C)
Self-ignition temperature: 250 °C
Thermal decomposition: No decomposition if stored and handled as prescribed/indicated.
Viscosity, dynamic: not determined
Viscosity, kinematic: not determined
Solubility in water: 280 g/1 ( 20 °C) soluble
Solubility (qualitative): soluble
Evaporation rate: Value can be approximated from Henry's Law Constant or vapor pressure.

 

[btrueblood]

I wouldn't, at least without testing. Butyl is lovely stuff for sealing gases, but is fairly "weak" when it comes to chemical compatibility. An EPDM liner will hold up to any water-based chemical, and would not cost much more than butyl. As far as testing, cut a small sample of the liner material, and measure its dry thickness. Submerge it for a week in a jar of the surfactant, then take it out and measure the thickness again - anything more than a few % of swelling is an indication of future trouble.

 

[GrahamBennett]

Butyl should be fine with most soap (surfactant) solutions but I go along with what btrueblood has said. Test a small piece in a sample of the surfactant, diluted to the usual strength, first to check if the rubber swells.

http://www.over50schat.com

 

[btrueblood]

I agree about soap, Graham, but have had trouble with butyl diaphragms in contact with hot water and high carboxylic acid content anti-corrosion compounds. We traded out for epdm liners and cured our problems (these were expansion tanks).

 

[jeevesme]

Thanks, guys. We will recommend that they install coupons to verify compatibility.