Dynamic mechanical properties of polymers

Abstract

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) has been used in fundamental studies of relationships between polymer structure and polymer properties for many years. DMA has also been widely used for polymer characterization in industrial product research and development, especially in the field of coatings. Major changes over time include automation of instruments with computer control of the run procedure and of treatment and handling of data. Many mergers and acquisitions have occurred among DMA instrument suppliers over the last several years, but availability of automated and computer controlled instruments has continued to be a major reason for extensive use of DMA. Carrying out a DMA run on an automated instrument is much easier than the grueling procedure required before computer controlled automation. DMA has also been used to follow property development as it takes place during cure of thermoset coatings. Details depend on the particular instrument. In summary, DMA has proven to be very useful for cross-link density determination especially in the field of thermoset coatings.