INTERACTIONS OF WATER WITH UNSATURATED POLYESTER, VINYL ESTER AND ACRYLIC RESINS

Moisture diffusion in unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester and acrylic resins exposed to various relative humidities and temperatures was investigated. The effects on water uptake of the type and amount of initiator, the post-curing treatment and specimen thickness were evaluated. A weight loss during exposure was observed in some resins; the true equilibrium water content and the diffusion coefficient could not be determined for these polymers. Absorption-desorption-reabsorption (ADR) experiments were conducted to determine the true equilibrium water contents and diffusion coefficients. These ADR experiments also show whether a resin exhibits a continuous weight loss during long term water exposure, a phenomenon associated with degradation of the polymer network, or whether the loss is caused only by the release of residual species. The water diffusion behaviour for polymers containing disc cracks was compared with the behaviour of polymers without disc cracks. Diffusion coefficients and saturation values are given for orthophthalic polyesters, isophthalic polyesters, vinyl ester and acrylic resins at 65-degrees-C and a 75% relative humidity.