Limonene transport and mechanical properties of EVOH and nylon 6,6 films as influenced by RH

The transport properties of d-limonene through ethylene vinyl alcohol copol ymers (EVOH) and nylon 6,6 films as functions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature were studied. Permeation properties of these polymers were str ongly influenced by temperature and RH. Compared to the EVOH films, the nyl on 6,6 film had much greater limonene permeability. Mechanical property stu dies indicated that both the tensile modulus and yield strength of the EVOH films decreased with an increase in RH. The polymer changed from being sti ff and brittle at low RH to being soft and ductile at high RH. In addition, ethylene content and orientation were found to affect the transport and me chanical properties of limonene through EVOH polymers. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.