Moisture diffusion into epoxy adhesive: Testing and modeling

Moisture diffusion into epoxy adhesive is investigated through utilizing complete fluid immersion tests in distilled water. Apparent diffusivity for each specimen is determined by two methods, one using the diffusion data at early times (at low loading) and the other using the data at large times (close to the saturation point). The results of the two methods are quite different, indicating that diffusivity is concentration dependent. The apparent diffusivity values obtained through the method using the early data points are about twice those obtained through the method utilizing the data points at large diffusion times. Variance of diffusivity with concentration is also considered as the third method of analysis to determine the concentration dependency. A good agreement is observed between the resultant Fickian model solved numerically and the experimental data. The latter result appears to indicate a change in the excess volume of mixing during the sorption process.