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Rapid Characterization of Water Diffusion in Polymer Specimens Using a Droplet-Based Method.
Yining Tian1, E Du1, Fatmaelzahraa Abdelmola1
1Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 6, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a rapid water droplet method to measure material diffusivity in hours, unlike traditional multi-month immersion tests. This technique accurately characterizes water diffusion in plastics like PMMA and epoxy, even with varying void content.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Traditional water diffusion testing is time-consuming, often taking months or years.
- Accurate diffusivity measurements are crucial for material performance and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a rapid water droplet-based method for characterizing material diffusivity.
- To assess the water diffusion (D) in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and epoxy plastics.
Main Methods:
- A small water droplet (<10 μL) is placed on a material's flat surface.
- A tensiometer monitors droplet dimension changes over time.
- Diffusivity is calculated from the observed changes.
Main Results:
- The water droplet method determined diffusivity in hours, significantly faster than immersion methods.
- PMMA diffusivity measurements aligned with published data.
- Epoxy diffusivity increased with void content; results agreed with immersion methods for low void content.
Conclusions:
- The water droplet method offers a rapid and effective alternative for diffusivity characterization.
- Material porosity significantly influences water diffusion rates.
- The method shows promise for evaluating various materials, including those with complex structures like voids.
