Accounting for differential swelling in the multi-physics modeling of the diffusive behavior of a tubular polymer structure

Abstract

Polymers absorb moisture when exposed to humidity, and the so-called anomalies of diffusion (i.e., discrepancies from the typical Fickian behavior) may occur. Multi-physics diffusion models constitute a possible way for representing such anomalies of diffusion. The purpose of this paper is to take into account the derivative by moisture content of polymer volume in order to establish a diffusion law within the so-called thermodynamical approach for a polymer material which experiences a hygro-mechanical load. In this study, the specific case of a tubular structure submitted to either symmetrical or unsymmetrical pressure conditions was investigated.