Mechanical properties moisture effects

H. J. Hoffman, Moisture Effects on Mechanical Properties of Solid Propellants, CPTR 84-29, CPIA Pubhcations, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Md., Feb. 1984. 

Higher temperatures result in permanent degradation. The amount of this irreversible loss in mechanical properties depends upon moisture content, heating medium, temperature, exposure period, and, to some extent, species. The effects of these factors on modulus of mpture, modulus of elasticity, and work to maximum load are illustrated in Figures 6—9 (6). The effects may be less severe for commercial lumber than for clear wood heated in air (Fig. 10). The permanent property losses shown are based on tests conducted after specimens were cooled to - 24° C and conditioned to a moisture content of... 

The moisture sensibility is remarkable, certain natural fibers can easily be influenced by environmental effects. Generally speaking, the mechanical properties are lowered with rising moisture content. 

The mechanical properties of composites are mainly influenced by the adhesion between matrix and fibers of the composite. As it is known from glass fibers, the adhesion properties could be changed by pretreatments of fibers. So special process, chemical and physical modification methods were developed. Moisture repel-lency, resistance to environmental effects, and, not at least, the mechanical properties are improved by these treatments. Various applications for natural fibers as reinforcement in plastics are encouraged. 

The moisture content of a plastic affects such conditions as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical properties, dimensions, and appearances. The effect on the properties due to moisture content depends largely on the type of exposure (by immersion in water or by exposure to high humidity), the shape of the product, and the inherent behavior properties of the plastic material. The ultimate proof for tolerance of moisture in a product has to be a product test under extreme conditions of usage in which critical dimensions and needed properties are verified. Plastics with very low water-moisture absorption rates tend to have better dimensional stability. 

Fig. 7-26 Example of the effects of moisture on the mechanical properties of an IM hygroscopic PET plastic.

The dielectric constant is affected in different ways by a number of different mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms are interdependent and so it is difficult to ascertain their individual dependencies on fluorine incorporation. For instance, the increased hydrophobicity caused by fluorination decreases the ambient dielectric constant by elimination of water from the polymer, while the incorporation of fluorine also affects the intrinsic properties of the polymer irrespective of the moisture effect. Most published dielectric data were measured under ambient conditions and thus the distinction between these effects is lost. 

Moisture has, in itself, usually not much effect on polymer properties, though the amount of moisture which can be absorbed by polymers varies within wide limits (between zero and a few %). Logically, the electric properties such as resistivity and dielectric losses are the most sensitive to water. As to mechanical properties, nylons show the strongest dependence on water absorption. PA-6 is able to take up a... 

Mani, S., Tabil L.G. and Sokhansanj S. (2006). Effect of Compressive Force, Particle Size and Moisture Content on Mechanical Properties of Biomass Pellets From Grasses. Biomass Bioener., 30, 648-654. 

Material component evaluation and selection are critical steps in the development of a MDI formulation [140,141], The materials must be chemically resistant and compatible with all components of the formulation. Gaskets must have appropriate mechanical properties and work effectively as a seal, preventing leakage of the formulation and moisture ingress. While the basic components themselves have... 

Moisute acts as a plasticizer and influences the mechanical properties of powdered materials for tablet compression. In the case of microcrystalline cellulose, at moisture levels above 5% the material exhibits significant changes consistent with a transition from the glassy state to the rubbery state [17]. The possible influence of moisture on the compaction behavior of powders was also analyzed by Gupta et al. [18]. This work evaluates the effect of variation in the ambient moisture on the compaction behavior of microcrystalline cellulose powder. 

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