Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.71, No.2, 197-206, 1999
Sorption and transport of water vapor in nylon 6,6 film
The sorption and transport of water in nylon 6,6 films as functions of the relative humidity (RH) and temperature were studied. Moisture-sorption isotherms determined gravimetrically at 25, 35, and 45 degrees C were described accurately by the GAB equation. Water-vapor transmission rates were enhanced above approximate to 60-70% RH, primarily due to the transition of the polymer from glassy to rubbery states. The glass transition temperatures (T-g's) of nylon 6,6 were measured at various moisture contents using differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the sorbed water acted as an effective plasticizer in depressing the T-g of the polyamide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to characterize the interaction of water and the nylon. Evidence from FTIR suggested that the interaction of water with nylon 6,6 took place at the amide groups. Based on the frequency shift of the peak maxima, moisture sorption appeared to reduce the average hydrogen-bond strength of the N-H groups. However, an increase was seen for the C=O groups.