Increasingly used in industrial operations, solvents cause technological, environmental and health and safety problems. Contact with these products may cause burns, irritation, dermatitis and serious poisoning by penetrating the body. The use of protective materials resistant to chemicals can prevent direct contact with these products. However, these polymer-based materials have a limited resistance that depends on the type of material and the nature of the chemical.
The aim of this project is to correct some problems related to the use of protective materials that come into contact with solvents and to increase knowledge about the absorption and transport of solvents in polymers, as well as the degradation mechanisms for these materials. Four polymers will be studied: neoprene, butyl, Viton and nitrile. The scientists want to find prediction methods that are more precise, simpler and less costly than the currently used permeation method. Once completed, this work should provide glove manufacturers with tools for designing and developing better performing protective materials.
This project is conducted in partnership with an industrial partner and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and will be carried out in the context of the work of the Chair on Protective Materials of the École de technologie supérieure.