Determination of dynamic mechanical properties of silica aerogel by resonance and non-resonance method

Abstract

Silica aerogel has great potential in aeronautics, building construction, and offshore oil transportation. The dynamic mechanical properties of silica aerogel were measured by the resonance and non-resonance method. The results of the two methods were compared. While the Young’s modulus coincided well, the loss factor had big difference. To explain this phenomenon, the sensitivity of the two methods was analyzed. It shows that the loss factor determination of low-loss materials by the non-resonance method is quite sensitive to the experiment uncertainties. This probably results in the loss factor difference between the two methods.