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Biodiesel => Biodiesel equipment => Topic started by: Tony on July 18, 2012, 11:00:50 PM

Title: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on July 18, 2012, 11:00:50 PM
Julian very kindly gave me some foamed orange gasket material to try as a gasket on one of my 500l steel drums - was originally going to flip both (one is already to make the processor) but it might be nice on the 500l settle drum if I could have a large bottom access port for clearing glyc.  If this material is up to it...

I've cut a strip and it's sitting in 100C bio + trace methanol as we speak - so going to find out if it can take the heat or not!

Anyway, cheers Julian, will see how it goes!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 18, 2012, 11:23:46 PM
It'll probably go quite soft.

I think the 'plastic' point of PVC is around 180°C, so it may hold up as a compressed gasket.

I believe I'm right in saying that PVC sweats bio, but again, it may be ok as a compressed gasket.

The results will be interesting.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on July 20, 2012, 09:55:26 AM
It has shrunk slightly and hardened a little.  It's still flexible and doesn't show any signs of becoming brittle.  I'll carry on subjecting it to the abuse expected of a settling drum gasket and take some photos.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 20, 2012, 01:15:02 PM
Sounds good but don't publicise it virtues too much ... I can't get any more!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on July 20, 2012, 04:35:17 PM
Do you remember what kind of material it is?
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 20, 2012, 08:30:15 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: K.H on July 20, 2012, 08:56:18 PM
It has shrunk slightly and hardened a little.  It's still flexible and doesn't show any signs of becoming brittle.  I'll carry on subjecting it to the abuse expected of a settling drum gasket and take some photos.
Hmmm,thought you were having a cold shower for a minute there
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 20, 2012, 09:26:05 PM
It has shrunk slightly and hardened a little.  It's still flexible and doesn't show any signs of becoming brittle.  I'll carry on subjecting it to the abuse expected of a settling drum gasket and take some photos.
Hmmm,thought you were having a cold shower for a minute there

What happens in your shower ... isn't "shrinking slightly and hardening a little" something of a paradox?
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: K.H on July 20, 2012, 10:31:03 PM
Not if its ingrowing!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 20, 2012, 11:30:16 PM
Not if its ingrowing!

That's a picture that'll need careful eradication from the mind of anyone wishing to retrain their sanity!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 20, 2012, 11:35:36 PM
Yes.

There's a tiny clue in the second post!

But to elaborate ... it's foamed, plasticised PVC, probably made by calendering rather than extrusion.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on July 21, 2012, 12:44:00 AM
Can't beat a bit of PVC if the results are anything to go by!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on July 26, 2012, 11:25:15 AM
I'm guessing this is the same stuff?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-White-Plastic-PVC-Foamed-Sheets-195mmx1220mmx6mm-NOT-Perspex-or-Acrylic-/230695668374

The sample strip I cut has had a couple of treatments of hot Meth laden bio and is still holding out though it has shrunk a bit.  This probably isn't an issue as a seal as it'll be compressed in use anyway.  So it's looking useful as a decent filler gasket material.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on July 26, 2012, 05:38:54 PM
I'm guessing this is the same stuff?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-White-Plastic-PVC-Foamed-Sheets-195mmx1220mmx6mm-NOT-Perspex-or-Acrylic-/230695668374

The sample strip I cut has had a couple of treatments of hot Meth laden bio and is still holding out though it has shrunk a bit.  This probably isn't an issue as a seal as it'll be compressed in use anyway.  So it's looking useful as a decent filler gasket material.

No, that's rigid (very common in the sinage industry) the stuff you have is plasticised i.e. flexible ... and a much cooler colour!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on September 20, 2012, 12:17:08 PM
Well many batches later it has hardened and shrunk a bit but will make a good bio seal, so it's going on my settle tank at the bottom to keep the bio in!
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Julian on September 20, 2012, 12:30:23 PM
Sounds like you've given it a fair test, glad it's holding up.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Bio Dervotee on November 28, 2012, 10:12:57 PM
Hi folks, I know its abit late but what about this stuff on ebay.  Item no.    281022258322  .      Teflon, good for 350 degrees C.
Sorry, not figured out how to post links.
Title: Re: Bio proof seal
Post by: Tony on November 28, 2012, 11:16:41 PM
Here's the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281022258322

Very interesting.  Heat and oil resistant, and not too expensive either!