A model for anomalous moisture diffusion through a polymer-clay nanocomposite

Aleksey D. Drozdov, Jesper de Claville Christiansen, R.K. Gupta, A.P. Shah

    Research output: Working paper/PreprintWorking paperResearch

    Abstract

    Experimental data are reported on moisture diffusion and the elastoplastic response
    in uniaxial tensile tests of an intercalated nanocomposite with vinyl ester
    resin matrix and montmorillonite clay filler at room temperature. Observations in
    diffusion tests show that the moisture transport in the neat resin is Fickian, whereas
    it becomes noticeably anomalous (non-Fickian) with the growth of the clay content.
    This transition is attributed to immobilization of water molecules on surfaces of hydrophilic
    clay layers. Experimental data in mechanical tests demonstrate that the
    response of vinyl ester resin is strongly elastoplastic, whereas an increase in the clay
    content reduces plastic strains. This result is explained by slowing down of molecular
    mobility in the host matrix driven by confinement of chains in galleries between
    platelets. Constitutive equations are developed for anomalous moisture diffusion
    through a nanocomposite and for its elastoplastic behavior. Adjustable parameters
    in these relations are found by fitting the experimental data. Fair agreement is
    demonstrated between the observations and the results of numerical simulation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages29
    Publication statusPublished - 2002

    Keywords

    • anomalousdiffusion
    • elastoplasticity
    • nanocomposite

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