Abstract
This paper describes the use of dielectric spectroscopy to characterise the absorption of water by three different classes of polymeric materials: an elastomer, poly(dimethylsiloxane); a thermoplastic, poly(ether ether ketone); and two composites, polyester and vinyl ester glass fibre reinforced laminates (GRP). Novel approaches have been used to assess water absorption by the elastomer and the GRP and the results are critically assessed. The data for all the materials are discussed in the context of their molecular structures. The applicability and limitations of these dielectric methods for the assessment of water absorption in polymeric materials that have considerably different physical properties is demonstrated.
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