Diffusion mechanism and properties of chemical liquids and their mixtures in 977‐2 epoxy resin. Issue 5 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Korkees, Feras; Swart, Russo; Barsoum, Imad
• Is Part Of: Polymer engineering & science. Volume 62:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 1582
• Page End: 1592
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: edge effects -- epoxy resin -- liquids absorption -- moisture diffusion -- two‐stage moisture uptake; Polymer engineering -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.25946
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3888

Abstract

Abstract: Epoxy resin is a versatile high‐performance thermosetting material with attractive properties for many engineering applications. However, epoxy resins may come into contact with various chemical liquid environments while in service which can degrade their mechanical properties and deteriorate their performance. Water diffusion into epoxy resins is well‐studied; however, little research has been reported on the diffusion mechanisms of other liquids/solvents and their mixtures. Therefore, this study addresses this gap through the use of gravimetric analysis to investigate the absorption of water and various chemical liquids, and their mixtures into epoxy resin. The liquid diffusion characterizations, which include weight gain, diffusion coefficients, and edge effects have been investigated. A two‐stage absorption process was observed for water, ethanol, methanol, and their mixtures. A unique three‐stage diffusion process of butyl formate, decalin, and their mixtures in 977‐2 epoxy resin was observed. A correction factor was used to account for the edge effects. The experimental results showed a dependency of saturation levels and diffusion coefficients on the polarity of the liquids and on the interaction level between the penetrants and the polymer. Furthermore, the absorption rate of the binary mixtures is intermediate between the rates of either penetrant. Abstract : An interesting three‐stage absorption process was observed for some of the liquids and their mixtures in the 977‐2 epoxy resin. The results showed a dependency of the diffusion behavior on the polarity of the liquids as well as on the interaction between the two liquids in the mixtures. The diffusion rate of the liquids mixtures was seen to be an intermediate between the rates of either liquid.