Polymer permeability

Unlike materials such as ceramics, glasses and metals, polymers are permeable. This may seem a disadvantage in that polymeric containers may allow loss or contamination of their contents, and that polymeric substances such as adhesives and fibre-reinforced composites can be weakened by diffusion of water. However, this property can be put to good use as is shown by drug delivery systems and the dyeing and pigmentation of fabrics. This volume has been written to examine the recent advances in several applied aspects of polymer permeability which have occurred over the past few years. The book opens with an introductory chapter on the basic issues in the mathematics of diffusion, and is followed by two chapters where fundamental aspects of diffusion in polymers are presented. The last six chapters each examine an area of applied science where permeability is an issue and range from discussions on packaging and polymer degradation to coatings and encapsulants for electronic and optoelectronic devices. The book will primarily interest polymeric materials research and development departments, but across a broad ranger of industries - from pharmaceuticals to food packers and from adhesive manufacturers to electronic circuit manufacturers.