Gas-transport properties of ethylene/propylene/carbon monoxide polyketone terpolymer

Our attention has been focused on a polyketone terpolymer (0.93 : 0. 07 :1 ethylene/propylene/carbon monoxide) in order to determine the transport properties and to relate them to the polymer structure. Permeability tests have been performed at three different temperatures (25, 35, and 45°C) with three different gases (helium, oxygen, and carbon dioxide). Permeabilities, diffusivities, and solubilities have been evaluated. Their dependence on temperature was interpreted on the basis of permeation and diffusion apparent activation energies (Ep and Ed) and of heats of solution (ΔHs). The investigated polymer has been found to be rubbery at the test temperature (glass transition temperature is about 17°C), but the detected permeabilities are comparable to those of glassy polymers widely used for packaging applications.