MEASUREMENT OF OXYGEN-TRANSPORT PARAMETERS IN POLYMER-FILMS INITIALLY SATURATED WITH AIR

The solubilities and diffusion coefficients of gases in polymer films can be determined from dynamic transport experiments. In the standard approach, a film initially free of the permeant of interest must be used. A new variation on the standard approach is presented for determining the transport parameters of oxygen from a transient experiment. The initial condition in the film is the normal oxygen saturation pressure (0.21 atm) and the applied oxygen pressure on the high side is 1 atm. Whereas this technique is generally applicable, it is particularly convenient for oxygen transport experiments because films stored in air do not have to be degassed before starting the experiment.