Neoprene and JP-4 Jet Fuel

[billtati]

We are in the process of designing an assembly that must use a vibration dampener made of neoprene. This assembly will be used in an aircraft and will be obviously exposed to fuel vapor. I have done a little searching and see that some protective gloves made for handling jet fuel are neoprene. However, the unit will be exposed to the vapors over the life of the aircraft (or the assembly) and will be experiencing temperatures from -40 to 71°C. Does anyone have knowledge if this being an unadvisable combination?

 

[aviat]

Neoprene is not recommended as a seal for JP-4, but it depends where in the aircraft is this assembly going to be located, as to amount of fuel vapors. If it is in the cabin you should not have any, otherwise you would have a lot of sick passengers.

 

[billtati]

This is an electronics assembly, and the neoprene would be used for four vibration isolators. The assembly would be located in an avionics compartment and should only be exposed to fuel vapors. Would you anticipate any problems with this situation?

 

[aviat]

Inside avionics bay there should be no measurable fuel vapour. There are some standards, MIL-STD-810 and MIL-E-5400 being some, that deal with environmental issues for avionic mounts. However mounts are readily available off the shelf from suppliers like Lord Corporation that meet requirements and require no further testing. Mounts deteriorate in time and must be changed, but that is no big deal.