What does chemically happen to rubber when it soaks in mineral spirits type 1? [closed]








**Closed**. This question needs [details or clarity](/help/closed-questions). It is not currently accepting answers.
 
 






---








**Want to improve this question?** Add details and clarify the problem by [editing this post](/posts/170152/edit).




Closed 9 months ago.








[Improve this question](/posts/170152/edit) 



Mineral spirits(mineral turpentine)type 1 is a mixture of aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons with a maximum content of 25% aromatics
and less than 0.1% benzene and all kind of impurities.
I have noticed that if i soak piece of rubber(2cm^3 cube)in mineral spirits type 1,the rubber swells.I assume that a specific type of hydrocarbons diffused into the rubber and cause it to swell.
Which type of hydrocarbons are diffused into the rubber and responsible for the swelling?(the aromatic ones?)and is there a way to remove the mineral spirit(residues)from the swollen rubber or the hydrocarbons in the mineral spirits are actually bonding to the rubber molecules,so it can't be removed?




Mostly aromatics, some alicyclic.


Probably the only way is evaporation, at temperature being trade off between patience and thermal damage.


Be aware that of the rubber object may not revert exactly to original shape or size. Some residues may remain and arrangement of macromolecules may change.


 1