A comparative analysis of moisture transport models as applied to an epoxy binder

T. I. Glaskova (Corresponding Author), R. M. Guedes, J. J. Morais, A. N. Aniskevich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The results of experimental and theoretical investigations into the kinetics of moisture sorption by a neat epoxy resin obtained from RAE Industries (Reapox 520, D523) are reported. The sorption process was realized in atmospheres with a constant relative humidity of 33, 53, 75, 84, and 97% and a temperature of 50°C. The results obtained showed that the diffusion behavior of epoxy resin did not obey Fick's law under the experimental conditions considered. Consequently, the application of a non-Fickian diffusion model was necessary. For this purpose, two-phase moisture sorption models, a model with a time-dependent diffusivity, a two-phase material model, as well as relaxation and convection models of anomalous diffusion, were considered. The model parameters were obtained from the approximation of experimental sorption data. A comparative analysis of the sorption models was performed, and the specific features of their applications were estimated. The two-phase material model and the model with varying diffusivity were found to be the most suitable ones due to a good agreement between calculation results and experimental data and the rather small (three or four) number of parameters, which make them more flexible and physically more justified than the classical Fick's model with its two parameters.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)377-388
JournalMechanics of Composite Materials
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • Epoxy binder
  • Moisture sorption
  • Multiphase sorption
  • Sorption models

Field of Science*

  • 2.5 Materials engineering
  • 1.3 Physical sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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