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SUMMARYThe treatment of ageing processes in polymers by the finite element (FE) method is described. The development of this analytical method is motivated by the need to assess the effects of ageing on the structural performance of polymers and polymeric composites, particularly when the structures are large and expensive to replace. Also, there is a need to assess the effectiveness of corrective action options when ageing problems d o occur, which can be treated by this method. The method describes the treatment of multiple, reactive chemical species in multi-layered polymeric materials by the finite element method. Example problems featuring the simultaneous diffusion and chemical reaction are illustrated: a simple problem of binary diffusion and reaction with comparison of numerical to exact results, and the staged ageing/structural analysis of a solid rocket motor.

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