A comparison of two algorithms for applying the time‐temperature superposition principle

Abstract

The time‐temperature superposition principle provides a method of extending the effective frequency range of dynamic modulus and loss factor data of viscoelastic materials. The principle states that data collected over a limited frequency range at one temperature can be superposed over data collected at some other temperature in order to extend the effective frequency range of the dynamic modulus and loss factor. Thus an apparatus of limited frequency response run at different temperatures can be used to determine the dynamic modulus and loss factor of a material over a very broad frequency range while also determining its temperature sensitivity. Consequently, algorithms that allow efficient and reproducible implementation of the principle on a computer are essential to the practical characterization of viscoelastic materials. This paper reviews the time‐temperature superposition principle, then presents and compares two implementation algorithms.