Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOFA lot of plastic materials have variable moisture contents. The absorbed water influences the optical properties of the material and can accelerate the degradation of the polymer.
The barrier effect is an important quality criteria for coatings on plastic materials.
Fraunhofer IOF determines the water content of plastics, from transmission spectra in the near-infrared. The rate of moisture absorption of coated plastic samples indicates the barrier effect of the corresponding coating.
Our work:
- Measurement of the water barrier effect of coatings on plastic materials such as PMMA, polycarbonate, CR 39, and polyurethane
- Characterization of moisture absorption and the resulting surface degradation of polymers under defined climatic conditions
- Investigation of the lateral moisture distribution in plastic components