pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S15 - Morphology and Structure Development (Honoring Symposia - J-M. Haudin)
Poster Presentation
 
 

Three-Dimensional Hygrothermal Anisotropic Moisture Uptake in Bismaleimide/Quartz Laminates

Rodriguez Luis A. (1), Garcia Carla (1), Grace Landon R. (1)*

(1) University of Miami - Florida - USA

The effect of elevated temperature on three-dimensional, anisotropic moisture diffusion behavior is explored via full immersion of a quartz-reinforced 6-ply bismaleimide (BMI) laminate. The balanced, 8-harness satin weave quartz fabric reinforced laminates were machined into three different aspect ratios and immersed at three different temperatures. The dimensions of the machined samples were chosen to provide three significantly different ratios between planar surface area and edge surface area available for diffusion in an effort to facilitate the determination of the three-dimensional diffusion parameters. Five samples of each aspect ratio (5, 12.5, and 20) were fully immersed in distilled water at 25°C, 37°C, and 50°C. The rate of the initial, linear uptake is heavily influenced by temperature; moisture content by weight of 1% was reached at 900, 576, and 324 hours of immersion for temperatures of 25°C, 37°C, and 50°C, respectively. Prior work has demonstrated conformance of this material to the Hindered Diffusion Model for room temperature diffusion. Deviation from Fickian behavior, as indicated by slope deviation from the Fickian plateau, exhibits an increase proportional to temperature. Results indicate a temperature-dependence of the hindrance coefficient, similar to the temperature dependence observed for the diffusivity parameter. These results further demonstrate the complexity of polymer diffusion behavior, and reinforce the necessity of accurate prediction techniques.