What effect does the fluorination treatment used on fluorinated stacking barrels have on their corrosion resistance?

Basic structure of fluorinated stacking barrels
Fluorinated stacking barrels are containers commonly used for packaging, transporting and storing chemicals. Their structure is usually made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through blow molding, and their appearance is stackable, which is convenient for storage and transportation. When exposed to certain corrosive liquids or gases, the molecular structure of ordinary plastic barrels may undergo permeation reactions, resulting in a decrease in material strength or even leakage. Fluorination treatment is a common technology to improve the corrosion resistance of barrels, which can change the characteristics of their inner surface and improve their resistance to penetration of specific substances.

Technical principle of fluorination treatment
Fluorination treatment is a modification process that introduces fluorine molecules into the surface of plastics, usually using gas phase fluorination. The process is to expose the plastic barrel to a mixed atmosphere of fluorine and nitrogen, so that the polymer chain part of the surface reacts with fluorine, thereby generating a fluorinated polymer layer. This modified layer can effectively reduce the diffusion rate of highly permeable molecules and improve the chemical resistance of the material. Since the fluorination treatment only acts on the surface, the structural strength and basic physical properties of the barrel are basically unaffected.

Mechanism of improving anti-corrosion performance by fluorinated layer
The main function of fluorinated layer is to improve the barrel's resistance to penetration by acids, alkalis, organic solvents and other corrosive media. When untreated HDPE barrels are exposed to certain solvents for a long time, molecules may migrate from the inner wall to the outside, causing structural degradation. After fluorination treatment, the C-F bond formed by fluorine atoms and carbon atoms has a higher bond energy, making the surface layer denser and more stable, and not easily corroded by chemicals. In addition, the microfilm formed on the surface by the fluorinated layer can effectively prevent chemical molecules from diffusing into the barrel, reducing the risk of material aging.

Impact of anti-corrosion performance on application scope
Since fluorination treatment significantly enhances the chemical stability of the barrel, fluorinated stacking barrels can be widely used to store insecticides, pesticides, cleaning agents, oils, inks, solvent chemical products and other corrosive liquids. During transportation, fluorination treatment helps to avoid leakage accidents caused by material expansion, softening or cracking. Even in high temperature or humid environments, the fluorinated layer can still maintain relatively stable barrier properties, thereby improving storage and transportation safety.

Comparison performance with untreated barrels
Compared with ordinary stacking barrels that have not been fluorinated, fluorinated barrels show lower gas permeability and liquid leakage rates in anti-permeation tests. For example, when containing common organic solvents such as dichloromethane and toluene, the wall of the fluorinated barrel will not soften or deform as quickly as ordinary plastic barrels, thereby extending the service life. Under long-term static conditions, fluorination treatment can also reduce the volatilization loss of the contents and the intrusion of external water vapor.

Controllability and limitations of fluorination treatment
Although fluorination treatment has a positive effect on improving anti-corrosion performance, its effect is affected by many factors, such as fluorine gas concentration, treatment time, temperature control, etc. Improper treatment may result in too thin a surface layer, uneven reaction, and even residual side reactions. In addition, not all plastic materials are suitable for fluorination modification, and some additives may decompose and produce harmful substances during the reaction. On the other hand, fluorination treatment is mainly for surface modification, and additional structural design is still required to protect against mechanical impact or puncture.

Impact of fluorination on sustainability
The improved corrosion resistance of fluorinated stacking barrels also indirectly extends their service life and reduces the number of discarded containers caused by corrosion damage. This is conducive to the efficient use of resources and waste control to a certain extent. However, due to the presence of the fluorinated layer, the regeneration process is slightly complicated and must be properly classified and processed to ensure that no secondary pollution is generated during the recycling process. Therefore, while promoting fluorinated barrels, it is also necessary to strengthen the improvement of relevant recycling processes.

Precautions in use and maintenance
Fluorinated barrels should avoid strong impact, high-pressure extrusion and puncture by sharp objects in daily use to avoid damaging the fluorinated layer and affecting its anti-corrosion performance. In addition, they should not be exposed to strong ultraviolet rays for a long time to reduce the aging of the material surface. When cleaning, mild detergents should be used and liquids containing strong oxidants should be avoided. During storage, try to place them in a cool and ventilated area to ensure the structural integrity of the barrel.

Market development trends and technical prospects
With the improvement of safety requirements for the transportation and storage of hazardous chemicals, the application scope of fluorinated stacking barrels is still expanding. Future technological development may focus on more efficient and low-pollution fluorination processes, such as plasma fluorination or microwave-assisted fluorination technology, to reduce energy consumption and control by-product emissions. At the same time, there are also studies dedicated to developing more recyclable or degradable fluorinated polymers to improve overall environmental performance.