A Model for the Diffusion of Moisture in Adhesive Joints. Part II: Experimental

The concentration dependence and temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient, as discussed in Part I, are validated with literature data on poly(styrene) and on poly(vinylacetate). The effect on diffusivity, of a uniaxial tensile stress state and of a biaxial tensile stress state, is measured with permeation tests on stretched poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) films. The influence of semi-crystallinity is briefly discussed. Further, diffusivity measurements under a tensile stress state, under a compressive stress state, and under a pure shear stress state are performed on Ultem® polyimide films, using a modified sorption technique. Good agreement between theoretical predictions and experiment is found. Finally, predictions by the solubility model discussed in Part I are compared with data on low density polyethylene and on Ultem polyimide.