Steam pressure generated in a spherical cavity in a moisture saturated polymer matrix composite during rapid heating

The time history of steam pressure inside an isolated spherical micro-cavity in a polymer matrix composite is studied by assuming that the chemical potential of water is continuous across the cavity-polymer interface. Steam pressure inside the cavity is due to heating of moisture-saturated composites from its initial temperature to a final temperature. Exact closed form solutions are obtained for the steam pressure developed under infinitely fast heating in an infinite plate. The effect of cavity shape on the induced steam pressure is studied by comparing this solution with a previous result on cracklike cavities.