Evaluation of M-435 in the Brake Fluid
Background: Customer requested an evaluation of VCI additives in brake fluid manufactured by Dalden Corporation.
Purpose: Test compatibility and corrosion protection of M-435 in Dalden Corporation brake fluid.
Materials: Brake fluid, manufactured by Dalden Corporation
M-435
70 Duro EPDM polymer
50 Duro Buna polymer
Natural rubber
Metal panels (tinned iron, steel, aluminum, cast iron, brass and copper)
Methanol
Methods: Compatibility test
Compatibility with polymers test
Immersion test
Procedure: Compatibility test- Samples of brake fluid containing M-435 were subjected to cycling temperatures. They were cooled in a refrigerator for 8 hours, then heated in an 82°C oven for 16 hours. This cycle was repeated for 72 hours, after which samples were visually inspected.
Compatibility with polymers test- Pieces of three different types of plastic were added to samples of brake fluid with VCI additive. The samples were placed in an 82°C oven for 24 hours. The pieces of plastic were then weighed and measured to determine the amount of mass or area loss due to immersion.
Corrosion test- Samples of the tinned iron, steel, aluminum, cast iron, brass and copper with an area of 25cm2 ± 5 cm2 were utilized. A hole of approximately 4 mm in diameter and about 6 mm from one end of each strip was drilled in each sample to allow for hanging. The strips were cleaned in methanol and allowed to air dry. Each strip was weighed and assembled onto a paper clip in the order tinned iron, steel, aluminum, cast iron, brass and copper so that the strips were in electrolytic contact. There was a separation of at least 3 mm between adjacent strips. The strips were hung from the top of two 1L jars. The first jar contained 760 mL of brake fluid with 40 mL of distilled water;
the second contained 760 mL of brake fluid, 40 mL of distilled water and 16g of M-435 (2% by weight). Sets of strips were completely submerged in the solution. The jars were placed in an oven maintained at 82°C for 328 hours. After this time, they were removed and allowed to cool at room temperature for 60 minutes. Immediately following the cooling period, the strips were removed from the jar and cleaned individually by wiping with a paper towel dipped in methanol. Strips were re-weighed. Weight change per cm squared was calculated.
Results:
Compatibility:
There was no visible separation between M-435 and brake fluid.
Compatibility with polymers
|
Material |
Type of Plastic |
Original Mass |
Final Mass |
Change in Mass |
|
Brake fluid |
70 Duro EPDM |
5.5725g |
5.5519g |
-0.0206g |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
70 Duro EPDM |
5.2744g |
5.1671g |
-0.1073g |
|
Brake fluid |
50 Duro Buna |
4.8746g |
4.7930g |
-0.0816g |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
50 Duro Buna |
5.0530g |
5.0108g |
-0.0422g |
|
Brake fluid |
Natural rubber |
4.3132g |
4.3327g |
+0.0195g |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
Natural rubber |
4.5798g |
4.5879g |
+0.0081g |
|
Material |
Type of Plastic |
Original Area (inches) |
Final Area (inches) |
Change in Area |
|
Brake fluid |
70 Duro EPDM |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
70 Duro EPDM |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
|
Brake fluid |
50 Duro Buna |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
50 Duro Buna |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
|
Brake fluid |
Natural rubber |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
|
Brake fluid + 2% M-435 |
Natural rubber |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
2 x 0.5 x 0.25 |
0 inches |
Corrosion Test
|
Solution |
Material |
Original Mass |
Final Mass |
Change in Mass |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Tinned Iron |
1.9541g |
1.9529g |
-0.0012g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Tinned Iron |
2.1195g |
2.1195g |
0.0g |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Steel |
6.9946g |
6.9943g |
-.0003g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Steel |
6.6986g |
6.6986g |
0.0g |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Aluminum |
1.7880g |
1.7926g |
+0.0046g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Aluminum |
1.7576g |
1.7574g |
-0.0002g |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Cast Iron |
25.5109g |
25.5190g |
+0.0081g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Cast Iron |
21.6832g |
21.6835g |
+0.0003g |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Brass |
14.9326g |
14.9316g |
-0.0010g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Brass |
13.0754g |
13.0735g |
-0.0019g |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Copper |
14.2033g |
14.1932g |
-0.0101g |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Copper |
15.6037g |
15.5951g |
-0.0086g |
|
Solution |
Material |
Change in Mass / Area (g/cm^2) |
SAE Allowable Change in Mass/Area (g/cm^2) |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Tinned Iron |
0.0615 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Tinned Iron |
0.0 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Steel |
.0144 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Steel |
0.0 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Aluminum |
0.2359 |
0.1 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Aluminum |
0.0103 |
0.1 |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Cast Iron |
0.4154 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Cast Iron |
0.0154 |
0.2 |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Brass |
0.0481 |
0.4 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Brass |
0.0913 |
0.4 |
|
Brake fluid solution |
Copper |
0.5179 |
0.4 |
|
Brake fluid solution + 2% M-435 |
Copper |
0.4410 |
0.4 |
Conclusions:
According to the above results:
-
- M-435 is compatible with brake fluid.
- No significant influence of M-435 was found on compatibility of studied brake fluid with polymers.
- M-435 lowers the corrosion rate of tinned iron, steel, aluminum, cast iron and copper and brings the brake fluid in compliance with SAE J1703, standards for motor vehicle brake fluid.
Estimated Cost of Project: $500.00
Project #: 01-177-1325
From: Catherine Mackiewicz
Date: July 16, 2001
cc: Boris Miksic
Anna Vignetti
Art Ahlbrecht
Rita Kharshan
Christophe Chandler
Alla Furman
Ashish Gandhi
Vanessa Schultz