Session: Student Poster Competition

Submission Number: 185522

The Influence of Jet-a to Hefa-Spk Fuel Switching on Young’s Modulus, Dimensional Change, and Degradation Behavior in Fluorocarbon Elastomer O-Rings 

In response to the expansion of commercial aviation, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) have been developed as a competitive alternative to petroleum-based fuel types. These biomass-derived alternatives are currently limited to a 50% fuel blend ratio by the FAA to compensate for aromatic losses, hydrocarbons both responsible for soot and contrail formations and critical for maintaining key fuel properties, including seal swell characteristics. This study simulated the impact of Jet-A-HEFA-SPK fuel switching and various aromatic fuel blends on fluorocarbon O-ring seal integrity, a material considered highly resistant to chemical degradation. Post-exposure analysis was conducted using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). TGA results revealed minimal fluorocarbon O-ring fuel absorption compared to nitrile seals; however, significant derivative mass loss shifts were observed during fuel switching, indicating elastomer chemical alterations. DMA results demonstrated that - while unexposed and Jet-A exposed O-rings maintained consistency -, Jet-A to HEFA-SPK switching led to significant Young’s modulus changes, indicating polymer backbone or cross-linking modifications. Finally, increasing aromatics to 12% in HEFA-SPK did not fully restore baseline mechanical properties, suggesting that the FAA-mandated 8% aromatic minimum may not entirely mitigate long-term material degradation risks, the collective results highlighting critical performance risks for engines transitioned from Jet-A to SAF fuel types.

Presenting Author: Hannah Petersen Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Presenting Author Biography: Hannah Petersen is an undergraduate electrical engineering student at Virginia Tech pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Energy and Power Electronics Systems. Her technical interests include power electronics, radio-frequency systems, electromagnetics, and aerospace-relevant energy technologies. She is an undergraduate researcher with Virginia Tech’s NEEC Antenna Research Team and the Resilient Renewable Energy Grid Adaptation Laboratory (REGAL), where her work focuses on antenna design, grid-forming inverter control, and hardware-in-the-loop simulation. She also serves as Team Lead for a Pratt & Whitney-affiliated student research team investigating sustainable aviation fuel compatibility in legacy engines, with an AIAA publication forthcoming.

Authors:

Hannah Petersen Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Peter Rassam Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Riley Benefiel Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Jack Parmeley Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Layla Viera Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lucas Gose Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Faith Pursley Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Isak Schwille Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University