Typical Nitrogen Carbon Permeation Salts
Salt permeation tests (SPTs) provide information on both the theoretical and practical performance of potential construction materials in terms of absorption, gas release, and permeation of fluids and gasses. This allows researchers to better understand both the static and dynamic properties of these materials and the specific environment they will be used in. Salt permeation is often a very complex process, and the chemistry involved can be exceedingly complex. Contrastingly, salt permeation testing is straightforward and provides simple information to help choose the most suitable construction material for the job.
Typical materials used for SPTs include nitride salts, carbon-based copolymers salts, nitrite salts, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Each of these nitro compounds plays an important role in salt permeation, and each of these compounds possess different properties that influence the overall permeability of the material. Lets take a closer look at some of the most common nitrogen-carbon based permeation salts available.
Nitride salts are among the most popular materials used in SPTs. The most common nitride salt is ammonium nitride, which provides good corrosion resistance and low vapor pressure. Nitride salts are often associated with improved conductivity and higher permeability, but they can also increase a materials ability to absorb certain organic vapors.
Carbon copolymer salts are the most widely used permeation salts, and they have several key properties. Copolymer salts are often chosen to provide enhanced electrical conductivity and transfer heat, and they are often used to bridge gaps in highly corrosive environments, and decrease static buildup. Copolymer salts can also be used to reduce blooming and stress cracking.
Nitrite salts—a combination of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrate—are often chosen for their capability to absorb and release water, providing important anti-corrosive properties. Nitrite salts are also highly conductive, providing excellent dissipation of static electricity, and have low vapor pressure, making them good materials for air flow.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons are common constituents of polymers and are often used to control the permeability of materials. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are defined as molecules composed of hydrogen and carbon, and they can be either paraffin, aromatic, or alkyl, depending on the number of carbon atoms present in the molecule. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are extremely dense, providing good mechanical strength, and they are often used in high-temperature and corrosive applications.
In addition to the four most common materials used for SPTs, there are many other nitrogen-carbon based permeation salts available. These include magnesium carbamate, magnesium nitrate, lithium nitrate, magnesium acetate, magnesium sulfate, calcium nitrate, magnesium chloride, zinc nitrate, nitroethylene, copper nitrite, and other derivatives. Each of these nitrogen-carbon based permeation salts possess different properties and provide different benefits depending on the specific environment in which they will be used. By carefully considering the specific needs of the project, researchers can accurately choose the material that will offer the best performance.
