New Insights into the Mechanical Behavior of Thin-Film Composite Polymeric Membranes

Limited predictions of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes’ behavior and functional life exist due to the lack of accurate data on their mechanical behavior under different operational conditions. A comprehensive investigation of the mechanical behavior of TFC membranes addressing deformation and failure, temperature and strain rate sensitivity, and anisotropy is presented. Tensile tests were conducted on commercial membranes as well as on individual membrane layers prepared in our laboratories. The results reveal the overall mechanical strength of the membrane is provided by the polyester layer (bottom layer), while the rupture stress for the middle and top layers is at least 10 times smaller than that of the polyester layer. High anisotropic behavior was observed and is attributed to the nonwoven structure of the polyester layer. Rupture stress in the transverse (90°) direction was one-third of the rupture stress in the casting direction. Limited temperature and strain rate dependence was observed in the temperature range that exists during operation. Scanning electron microscopy images of the fractured surfaces were also analyzed and correlated with the mechanical behavior. The presented results provide new insights into the mechanical behavior of thin-film composite membranes and can be used to inform novel membrane designs and fabrication techniques.