Question

I work in a factory (as a mechanical engineer) where we use solvent like hexane and toluene, mixed with caoutchouc and resins. I had some very basic chemistry courses when I was at school. But today I'd like to learn more in order to understand better what happens on a chemical point of view in our process.
Do you have any suggestion on what I should start learning ? Thank you !

Answer 1

Well depending on the purpose of the process and what you are using as a solute (if you are even dissolving something) would dictate why you are using the chemicals you are using.

It is hard to answer a question such as this without knowing more about what you are exactly using these "solvents" for.

You can gain a basic understanding of these chemical compounds just by reading their corresponding msds's and doing research online to better understand their applications.

If you are using these chemicals for lubricants look at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_chemistry

Confucius say, give vague question get vague answer.

Answer 2

Thank you for answering !
I'll try to be more precise :
We are manufacturing adhesive tape, it basically consists in unwinding platic film, applying glue (made of hexane, caoutchouc, resin, pigments for color), then drying to evaporate the solvent and rewinding the film.
Before applying glue, 'release' is applied on the other side of the film, a solution of solvent without which you wouldn't be able to unwind the film with the glue ; after release, we apply 'primer' (just before applying glue) on the same side of the glue, 'primer' allows the glue to stay on the film, it is also made of solvent (I don't remember if it's hexane or toluene) and some caoutchouc too (but less caoutchouc than in the glue).
Another detail : most of the films we use are 'corona traited' (traitment with atmospheric pressure plasma), film material can be oriented polypropylene, polyesther, pvc.

I hope what I write is not too confused, and I apologize for my poor english.

Answer 3

Not to ruin your impression of this site but I would recommend asking your question on another website that is frequented by much more qualified people to get an in depth answer.

Try asking your question at
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?board=33.0
or
http://www.physicsforums.com
or
http://www.eng-tips.com/

Based on what I'm reading this question is clearly related to surface chemistry or material chemistry.

I hope this helps, and I'm sorry I can't provide you with a thorough explanation.

Answer 4

Well thanks for the links, and thanks for your honest answer.

Answer 5

I second eng-tips.com. This site is for learning basic chem and help with homework. There aren't to many people here who could answer that anyways.

Answer 6

ok, maybe I'll let the question a few days in case an erudite has a piece of answer and then I'll close it.

Answer 7

What do you want to know? I can answer any of your theoretical questions, although my understanding of the empirical industrial facts is limited.

Nor do I fully agree your question is inappropriate here. I would think it would be quite interesting to beginning students (the overwhelming audience) to see how the basic principles they are learning directly relate to a real industrial process. Too often, basic chemistry is taught nearly divorced from the real world of commercial processes. I think your questions, and the answers, would be a nice little contribution, if not germane to the general thrust here.

Answer 8

I'm not arguing that the question is inappropriate here, just that he is more likely to get a faster answer on one of those other sites.