Date Thesis Awarded

5-2016

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only

Degree Name

Bachelors of Science (BS)

Department

Chemistry

Advisor

David Kranbuehl

Committee Members

Christopher J. Abelt

Kristin Wustholz

Hannes Schniepp

Abstract

Polyamide 11 (PA11) is commonly used in offshore oil pipelines due to its excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance. However, PA11 is prone to hydrolysis which is known to significantly reduce the lifetime of these pipelines. This paper explores the effect of ethanol and methanol, two alcohols that are commonly used to prevent the formation of ice-like blockages in the pipeline, on the hydrolytic degradation of PA11. No significant differences in crystallinity were observed between the different test environments. However, PA11 aged in EtOH showed the lowest amount of hydrolytic degradation when compared to PA11 aged in MeOH or pure DI water.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Patrick, "The Effect of Ethanol, Methanol, and Water on the Hydrolytic Degradation of Polyamide-11" (2016). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 965.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/965