Permeation of water through the polymeric components of boil-in-bag laminates

Diffusion coefficients and equilibrium uptake have been measured for water and 3% acetic acid in film of PETP, lldpe, nylon 6 and nylon 66, and also in some isocyanate adhesives. These materials are used in the construction of boil-in-bags for food. The three methods of measurement used were permeation from a bag, mass uptake, and the use of a novel technique using isotopically labelled water. The principal temperature of investigation has been 100 degrees C. Differences in the permeation parameters for water and 3% acetic acid were small for PETP, but surprisingly large for an inert material such as lldpe. With the nylons differences could readily be ascribed to the fact that these materials are bases. When immersed in boiling water there was no change in the degree of crystallinity of PETP, but lldpe and nylon 66 showed small increases.