ity Coefficient of Common Polymers (Plastics) Peemeabiliy Coeffcients at 25C P x 10") Polymer Comman/Trade Name ‘Onygen Moisture Polyisoprene) ‘Natueal Rubber 233 2290 Polyichlorrene) Neoprene G 40 ‘10 Polyisobutene-coisonrene) Buty! Rubber 13 0 Polyvinyl chloride) PVC (unplasticized) 01045, 25 Polvetaluoroethylene) Teflon 42 48 Polytetaluoroethylene-co) Teflon FEP 49 7 Polyethylene), low density (0.914 afer LDPE 22 oo Polyethylene) high density (0.964 yim’) HOPE 03 ° Polypropylene) density (0.907 g/cm) Pe 12 35 Polyvinjledene chore) Saran 0.005 05 Polvo chloroethylene) Kelrat Dos o1 Polyethy! methacrylate) Plexiglas 12 3200 Polycarbonate) Lexan 14 1400 Polythene terephthalate) Per 0.035 130 ‘Senet Geican t= anare op m ilaesGce wel ie emreop aoe Bo Uninet owen om Table 3 — Effect of Polymer Density/Crystallnty on Permeation Pexmeation Constant P a 30°C (P x10") Polymer Density fem™ crystallinity % Oxygen Nitrogen Carbon Diowide Polyethylene 0.922 cy 55 19 252 0938 6 23 0.66 74 0954 73 a] 033 43 0.96 a 106 027 35 0.965 8 05 = 25 Polypropylene 0.907 50 24 02 ba ‘pean Gaiam = anu po) lm inate Ge ere op 2 ih niet nent stom a coefficients (Table 2). In recent years, PVC tubing has replaced rubber hoses, but even PVC has a faitly high moisture permeability coefficient, at275. Fluorinated polymers, on the other hand, such as Kel-F 81 and Teflon, have very low oxygen and moisture perme- ability Table2). Indeed, Kel-F81 has the low- fest water vapor permeability ofall known plastics (Refs. 3, 7). Unfortunately, Kel-Ftub- ing is only commercially available in very small sizes for medical applications. Permeation Properties Pearson trou plastics i rimaiy ‘dependent upon the following proper- ties: 1. Exposed surface area. The longer the hose or the bigger the hose diameter, the greater the permeation, 2. Length of diffusion path. The longer the ppath forthe impurity to difuse, the less the permeation. Thick-walled hoses allow less permeation, 3. Material of construction. The sifer the hose, the less the permeation — Fig 2 4, Nature of contaminant, Except for Teflon, most plastics allow a much higher degree of moisture permeation than oxygen permeation. ‘5. Humidity. The higher the humidity of the surroundings, the greater the moisture permeation. Moisture permeation at 90% relative humidity will be double the permeation at 45% relative humidity at the same room temperature). 6, Temperature. The higher the room temperature, the higher the moisture permeation (atthe same relative humidity). For ex- ample, the moisture permeation rate at 95°F (35°C) is approxi mately double the rate at 75°F (24°C). Welding on hot, humid days may result in more weld defects. WELDING JOURNAL | 37