Dynamic
Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
 Description
Dynamic mechanical analysis measures the stiffness
modulus and damping (energy dissipation) properties of materials
as the materials are deformed under periodic stress. Such
measurements provide quantitative and qualitative information
about the performance of the materials. DMA can be used to
evaluate a wide variety of material types (elastomers, thermoplastics,
viscous thermosetting liquids, composites, coatings &
adhesives, ceramics, metals). It is particularly useful for
evaluating polymeric materials.
Properties Measured
Specific material properties provided by DMA
include storage and loss moduli, damping, glass transition
and softening temperatures, rate and degree of cure, viscosity,
onset of gelation, sound absorption and impact resistance,
creep, and stress relaxation. The range of temperature covered
is from room temperature to 600°C.
Benefits
DMA results can be used in research, development
and selection of materials for specific end-use situations,
competitive product evaluations and material lifetime performance
evaluations, quality control for process simulation and optimization,
vendor certification and troubleshooting. It provides the
most versatile, cost-effective mean for characterizing the
mechanical and viscoelastic properties of materials.
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