The Chemical Attack on Polymeric Materials as Modified by Diffusion

Abstract

The reaction of polymeric media with a chemical reagent generally involves the preliminary diffusion of the reagent through the polymer. The effect of a relatively rapid diffusion of a chemical reagent into a cylindrical fiber on the over all rate of reaction is considered and the equation therefor is derived. The equation is applicable both to the extent of the reaction and to the decay of stress in the polymer, provided that a linear relationship between stress and extent of reaction is assumed.