SEDL / STP / STP1081-EB / STP19027S

Solvent Swell of Polyethylene by Thermomechanical Analysis

Thomas, RW
DirectorDirector, Laboratories at TRI Environmental, Inc.Research and Technical Development at Gundle Lining Systems, Inc., AustinHouston, TexasTexas

Cadwallader, MW
DirectorDirector, Laboratories at TRI Environmental, Inc.Research and Technical Development at Gundle Lining Systems, Inc., AustinHouston, TexasTexas

Pages: 7    Published: Jan 1990

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Abstract

An important property of high density polyethylene (HDPE) for lining waste management facilities is how it behaves when exposed to chemicals. A new method to study this has been developed with the use of a thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). The technique monitors the size of a sample as a function of time while it is exposed to a challenge chemical. The resulting absorption curve can be used to generate the coefficient of diffusivity and the percentage swell at equilibrium. Four different densities of PE were studied by this method. The results showed that the diffusivity, solubility and permeability of a PE resin are dramatically affected by the resin density.