ABSTRACT
Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) can correlate differences in physical behavior observed in chemical resistance testing of polymers and polymer-containing systems when a sufficiently large number of different organic solvents are included in a study. These correlations can then be used to predict the chemical attack expected in systems that have not yet been tested. Examples of HSP correlations included here are for solubility, degree of surface attack, tensile strength reduction, and simple evaluations of chemical resistance of the suitable-for-use or not type. Environmental stress cracking is discussed in more detail in Chapter 14. In each case, the molecular size of the liquids used can affect the result and should be considered in some way. Chapter 16 treats absorption and diffusion in polymers with this in mind. A common problem is that tests with larger molecular weight liquids have not reached equilibrium absorption within the timeframe of the exposure. HSP correlations are presented for chemical resistance studies of epoxy and zinc silicate tank coatings, PET, POM, PA6/66, PUR, PPS, PEI, Neoprene
, etc.
