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Special
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Written by Sabrina Deparine
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Monday, 22 June 2009 10:01 |
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Page views: 7771 |
Among the issues hurled against E10 or ethanol-blended fuel is that it is corrosive. There have been several articles posted online on the corrosive properties of ethanol-blended gasoline that makes it unfit for use in vehicles.
Admittedly, ethanol is corrosive, depending on the material that it comes into contact with. But the corrosive effects of ethanol are actually very minimal and are not very destructive. Also, the issue of fuel being corrosive is not something new. After all, even regular gasoline (and all types of liquid) is also corrosive.
As mentioned, the corrosive effects of ethanol-blended gasoline or E10 are not highly-detrimental. It only becomes more corrosive when water is added to the fuel. There may be instances when water would creep into the gas tank of the car such as when the cover for the tank is not tightly-closed. The E10 gasoline in the tank will absorb the water. Also, the ethanol content of E10 is soluble in water. As such, it has high tendency to attract and absorb water.
Let us take a few minutes to flash back to our early science classes. Water is considered as a corrosion agent because of its alkalinity, hardness, and pH. In addition, water is an oxidizing agent which can contribute to corrosion. These properties may interact so that the water leaves some scales where it passes. These spots that have been covered with scales will eventually become corrosion spots.
What is the point? The point here is that although ethanol is corrosive, its corrosive properties are not the ones that bring damage to your vehicle. Rather, it is the corrosive properties of water that can corrode or rust the fuel system from inside out.
This is one of the reasons why there are several reports on car components rusting or corroding after they have been loaded up with E10. Chances are these cars are older models because older models have steel and lead-coated gas tanks and fuel systems. Newer models (from 1990s and up) are equipped with fuel systems that can withstand the corrosive properties of both water and fuel. In addition, the distilling and production processes employed by ethanol producers and oil companies nowadays are more superior compared to those of yesteryears. For instance, chemical additives are now added to the fuel to inhibit the corrosive properties. They also have better techniques for drying out ethanol and for reducing the water content in the fuel.
With regard to the corrosion of gas tanks, there have been some concerns over the rusting of gas tanks when loaded with ethanol. This may be true for older car models since their gas tanks are made from steel and are coated with lead. Again, the rusting and corrosion in this case are not due to the properties of ethanol but because of its water content. Car manufacturers have strived to address this by converting the gas tank material from steel to a polymer and Teflon composite which is extremely durable and tolerant to rust as well as to the other properties of ethanol.
E10 does not also corrode the gaskets, seals, rings, and other peripherals in vehicles. In the last two or more decades, rubber neoprene material has been used for these car components. This is resistant and tolerant to the corrosive properties of water and to the drying effects of ethanol and regular gasoline.
Clearly, ethanol-blended fuel or E10 does not corrode the fuel system, gas tank, and other components of vehicles. It may have corrosive properties but the water content in fuel is the main culprit in corrosion. Rest assured, car manufacturers, ethanol producers, and oil companies are doing what they can to address these concerns. In fact, they have started to adopt measures that can make their vehicles more resistant to corrosion, reduce the water content in their fuel products, and inhibit the corrosive properties of the E10 gasoline.
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