Permeability of Polymers to Gases and Vapors

Abstract

In years a number of investigators (1, 6, 7, 11), employing different experimental techniques, have reported data on the transmission of gases through polymer films. The present investigation was undertaken to supplement existing data, particularly with respect to the permanent gases nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, and to study the effect of variables such as temperature and film thickness on the rate of permeation. In addition, the permeability of a number of polymer films to the two organid vapors methyl bromide and ethylene oxide has been studied at a number of temperatures and pressures. The experimental arrangement used to measure the rate of permeation was an adaptation of the high vacuum technique used by Barrer (3) and van Amerongen (2).