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Cracking of drying latex films: an ESEM experiment
Kalin I Dragnevski1, Alexander F Routh, Martin W Murray
1Sector of Biological & Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, 19 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. kalin.dragnevski@eng.ox.ac.uk
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 9, 2010
Summary
This study observed latex film cracking during drying below glass-transition temperature. Cracking humidity decreased with film thickness up to 100 mum, indicating consolidation into close packing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- Latex films are susceptible to cracking during drying.
- Understanding cracking behavior is crucial for material performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cracking of drying latex films below their glass-transition temperature.
- To determine the critical relative humidity for cracking as a function of film thickness.
Main Methods:
- Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was employed.
- Controlled linear decrease of relative humidity over time.
- Measurement of cracking humidity versus film thickness.
Main Results:
- Cracking humidity decreased with increasing film thickness for thicknesses from 30 to 100 mum.
- Beyond 100 mum, cracking humidity remained relatively constant.
- A scaling argument effectively fitted the experimental data.
Conclusions:
- Cracking initiates when the entire latex film consolidates into a close-packed structure.
- Film thickness significantly influences the critical humidity for cracking.
- ESEM provides valuable insights into the mechanics of drying film failure.
