Which resin to build ethanol safe gasoline tanks?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by groper, Sep 15, 2012.

  1. groper
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 2,483
    Likes: 144, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 693
    Location: australia

    groper Senior Member

    As the title says, im looking for which resin chemistry is suitable for building ethanol safe fuel tanks with fibreglass. I have a preference for vinylester or epoxy based resins that might be suitable, but which ones and with what type of hardeners???

    Cheers.
     
  2. sean-nós
    Joined: May 2010
    Posts: 157
    Likes: 30, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 392
    Location: Dublin,Ireland

    sean-nós Senior Member

  3. groper
    Joined: Jun 2011
    Posts: 2,483
    Likes: 144, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 693
    Location: australia

    groper Senior Member

    OK, after spending considerable time searching the web, it seems the most suitable resins for chemical resistance to gasoline (octane, toluene, benzene etc) including ethanol blends are;

    Epoxy Novolac vinyl ester
    Epoxy Bisphenol A Urethane vinyl ester
    And perhaps, Isophthalic polyester resin?

    In addition to using these resin chemistry types, a post cure is also recommended / required in order to bring the resistance upto typical service temperatures.

    References;
    http://www.dsm.com/en_US/downloads/drs/CorrosionGuide.pdf
    http://www.ashland.com/Ashland/Static/Documents/APM/Derakane_Chem_Guide.pdf
    http://www.valueplastics.com/technical/material/vp_chemical_resistance_resin.pdf
    http://frptechnology.com/Downloads/GFT.Scott.Bader.Chemical.Containment.Brochure.April08.pdf

    I think ill go build them integral tanks afterall...
     
  4. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
    Posts: 1,618
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1240
    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    Forget ISO or ISO NPG resins.

    Your best bet for long term exposure are the vinylesters.
     
  5. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    So the problem is the ethanol ? And vinylester has no issues with it ?
     
  6. Herman
    Joined: Oct 2004
    Posts: 1,618
    Likes: 94, Points: 48, Legacy Rep: 1240
    Location: The Netherlands

    Herman Senior Member

    many have not. but do check the chemical resistance table for the ve used, to be sure.
     
  7. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    OK, thanks.
     
  8. FishStretcher
    Joined: Oct 2011
    Posts: 93
    Likes: 4, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 33
    Location: On the Water

    FishStretcher Junior Member

    Wow. Flexible BPA/VE/Urethane? I haven't heard of that. (I have been out of school for a while, not a big surprise)

    Not sure I want to mix/apply it either.
     
  9. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Let's all promote the removal of ethanol from gasoline.
     
    DogCavalry likes this.
  10. thudpucker
    Joined: Jul 2007
    Posts: 880
    Likes: 31, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 453
    Location: Al.

    thudpucker Senior Member

    What are the Commercially available (5 Gal outboard) tanks made of?

    Is that some super secret mix? Proprotary?
     
  11. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
    Posts: 5,857
    Likes: 400, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 2489
    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Polyethylene.
     
  12. pauloman
    Joined: Jun 2010
    Posts: 268
    Likes: 10, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 151
    Location: New Hampshire

    pauloman Epoxy Vendor

    use a novolac epoxy

    paul oman
    progressive epoxy polymers inc
     
  13. thudpucker
    Joined: Jul 2007
    Posts: 880
    Likes: 31, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 453
    Location: Al.

    thudpucker Senior Member

    I spent some time on Polyethylene this morning. It actually started from a mistake in the lab, back in 1898 or so. Lot's to read.

    But when it comes to making a fuel tank out of pieces of PE I didn't find a supplier for the Sheet PE.

    TAP plastics on the west coast has a glue and a method for the glue they say will work.
    It requires flame to 'prepare' the surfaces.
     
  14. sdowney717
    Joined: Nov 2010
    Posts: 1,175
    Likes: 85, Points: 58, Legacy Rep: 274
    Location: Newport News VA

    sdowney717 Senior Member


  15. thudpucker
    Joined: Jul 2007
    Posts: 880
    Likes: 31, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 453
    Location: Al.

    thudpucker Senior Member

Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. John Slattery
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    872
  2. Mcdo2137
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    877
  3. John Slattery
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    1,618
  4. CajunBoater
    Replies:
    5
    Views:
    899
  5. Bigtalljv
    Replies:
    35
    Views:
    3,490
  6. weldandglass
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    886
  7. bucketlist
    Replies:
    6
    Views:
    971
  8. IdahoBoats
    Replies:
    6
    Views:
    1,460
  9. comfisherman
    Replies:
    19
    Views:
    2,530
  10. ahender
    Replies:
    8
    Views:
    1,554
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.