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Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Testing of Materials

Significance and Purpose

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a key technique for measuring the viscoelastic properties of materials by applying an oscillatory stress or strain and monitoring the resulting deformation. It is used to evaluate:

  • Modulus vs. Temperature for glass transition, softening, and thermal stability.
  • Modulus vs. Frequency for time-dependent mechanical behavior and dynamic loading applications.
  • Stress Relaxation & Creep Compliance for long-term material performance predictions.

DMA is widely used in polymer characterization, composites testing, and material development for applications in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and consumer products.

Relevant ASTM, ISO, and DatapointLabs (DPL) Standards

Mechanical DMA Testing Standards

  • ASTM D5026: Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Tension
  • ASTM D5024: Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Compression
  • ASTM D5023: Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Flexure (Three-Point Bending)
  • ASTM D5279: Standard Test Method for Plastics: Dynamic Mechanical Properties: In Torsion
  • ASTM D7028: Standard Test Method for Glass Transition Temperature (DMA Tg) of Polymer Matrix Composites by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
  • ISO 6721-4: Plastics — Determination of dynamic mechanical properties, Part 4: Tensile vibration — Non-resonance method
  • ISO 6721-7: Plastics — Determination of dynamic mechanical properties, Part 7: Torsional vibration — Non-resonance method
  • DPL M-615: Creep-Relaxation by DMA-tensile, compressive or flex

Modulus vs. Temperature by DMA

  • Tensile Modulus: ASTM D5026
  • Compressive Modulus: ASTM D5024
  • Flexural Modulus: ASTM D5023, ASTM D7028
  • Shear (Torsional) Modulus: ASTM D5279, ISO 6721-7, ASTM D7028

Modulus vs. Frequency by DMA

  • Tensile or Compressive Modulus: ASTM D5026, ISO 6721-4 (0.1-100 Hz)
  • Flexural Modulus: ASTM D5023 (0.1-100 Hz)
  • Torsional Modulus: ASTM D5279, ISO 6721-7 (0.1-500 rad/s)

Master Curve Construction (Time-Temperature Superposition, TTS)

  • Tensile or Compressive Modulus: ASTM D5026
  • Flexural Modulus: ASTM D5023
  • Torsional Modulus: ASTM D5279

Stress Relaxation & Creep Compliance by DMA

  • General Stress Relaxation & Creep Compliance: ASTM D5279
  • Time Sweep Stress Relaxation & Creep Compliance: ASTM D5279
  • Creep-Relaxation by DMA (Tensile, Compressive, or Flexural): DPL M-615

DatapointLabs Tests for Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Testing

Tests in the DatapointLabs test catalog that reference dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) testing are as follows:

General DMA Testing (inquire regarding material suitability)

Test ID Test Description Standards
M-605 Tensile Modulus vs. Temperature by DMA ASTM D5026
M-606 Compressive Modulus vs. Temperature by DMA ASTM D5024
M-604 Flexural Modulus vs. Temperature by DMA ASTM D5023, ASTM D7028
M-603 Shear Modulus vs. Temperature by DMA ASTM D5279, ISO 6721-7, ASTM D7028
M-600 DMA - Tensile/Compressive ( 0.1-100 Hz) ASTM D5026, ISO 6721-4
M-600t DMA- Tensile/Compressive Mastercurve ASTM D5026
M-602 DMA - Flexural (0.1-100 Hz) ASTM D5023
M-601 DMA - Torsional (5 Temperatures, 0.1-500/s) ASTM D5279, ISO 6721-7
M-610 Stress Relaxation/Creep Compliance by DMA ASTM D5279
M-611 Stress Relaxation/Creep Compliance by Time Sweeps ASTM D5279
M-615 Creep-Relaxation by DMA-tensile, compressive or flex DPL M-615*

* Internal DatapointLabs Standard

Principle of Operation

DMA applies an oscillatory stress or strain to a specimen and measures the resulting deformation. The phase difference between stress and strain allows calculation of:

  • Storage Modulus (E′ or G′): Elastic response (stiffness).
  • Loss Modulus (E″ or G″): Viscous response (energy dissipation).
  • Tan Delta (tan(δ)): Ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus, indicating damping behavior.

Tests can be performed in different modes: tensile, compression, flexural, and torsional.

Typical Procedure

  1. Sample Preparation: Specimens are cut or molded to standard dimensions.
  2. Test Setup: The sample is mounted in the DMA instrument in the appropriate test mode.
  3. Experimental Conditions:
    • Temperature Sweeps: Measure modulus and damping over a temperature range.
    • Frequency Sweeps: Measure modulus response at different frequencies.
    • Time Sweeps: Monitor stress relaxation or creep over extended periods.
  4. Data Collection: Oscillatory stress and strain data are recorded.
  5. Analysis: Modulus, tan delta, and master curves are computed.

Specimen Types

Specimens used by DatapointLabs in various types of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) testing are as follows:

Specimen Type DatapointLabs Test IDs
Flex Bars [Details] M-605, M-604, M-600, M-600t, M-602, M-615
Prisms [Details] M-606
Torsional DMA Specimen [Details] M-603, M-601, M-610, M-611

Extensometry Techniques

Extensometry techniques typically employed by DatapointLabs in dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) testing are as follows:

Extensometry Technique DatapointLabs Test IDs
Axial or Angular Displacement Determination by DMA Device M-605, M-606, M-604, M-603, M-600, M-600t, M-602, M-601, M-610, M-611, M-615

Characterization Measurements

Modulus vs. Temperature and Tan Delta vs. Temperature

  • Tensile Modulus vs. Temperature: Tensile storage & loss moduli as a function of temperature.
  • Compressive Modulus vs. Temperature: Compressive storage & loss moduli as a function of temperature.
  • Flexural Modulus vs. Temperature: Flexural storage & loss moduli as a function of temperature.
  • Shear (Torsional) Modulus vs. Temperature: Torsional storage & loss moduli as a function of temperature.
  • Tan Delta vs. Temperature: Identifies glass transition temperature (Tg) and damping behavior as a function of temperature.

Modulus vs. Frequency and Tan Delta vs. Frequency

  • Tensile/Compressive Modulus vs. Frequency: 0.1-100 Hz; tensile storage & loss moduli as a function of frequency.
  • Flexural Modulus vs. Frequency: 0.1-100 Hz; flexural storage & loss moduli as a function of frequency.
  • Torsional Modulus vs. Frequency: 0.1-500 rad/s; torsional storage & loss moduli as a function of frequency.
  • Tan Delta vs. Frequency: Shows frequency-dependent viscoelastic behavior.

Master Curve Analysis (Time-Temperature Superposition, TTS)

  • Tensile/Compressive Modulus Master Curve: Derived from time-temperature superposition of tensile/compressive datasets across different temperatures.
  • Flexural Modulus Master Curve: Derived from time-temperature superposition of flexural datasets across different temperatures.
  • Torsional Modulus Master Curve: Derived from time-temperature superposition of torsional datasets across different temperatures.
  • Stress Relaxation vs. Time Master Curve: Derived from time-temperature superposition of stress relaxation datasets across different temperatures.
  • aT vs. Temperature: Shift factor relating temperature and time scales for predicting long-term behavior.

Stress Relaxation & Creep Compliance

  • Stress Relaxation and Creep Compliance by Time Sweeps: Measured from a fixed initial strain held over time, repeated at multiple temperatures.
  • Creep-Relaxation by DMA in Tensile, Compressive, or Flexural Modes: Measured from strain evolution under constant load over extended time.

Typical Data Reported (see test descriptions for exact details)

  • Storage Modulus (E′ or G′) vs. Temperature or Frequency: Plot of elastic response dependency on temperature or frequency.
  • Loss Modulus (E″ or G″) vs. Temperature or Frequency: Plot of viscous response dependency on temperature or frequency.
  • Tan Delta (tan(δ)) Curves: Plot of ratio of viscous to elastic response dependency.
  • Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Temperature of material transformation from harder glassy to softer rubbery state.
  • Master Curves: Leveraging time-temperature equivalence for understanding long-term material behavior
  • Creep Compliance and Stress Relaxation: Longer-term material behavior under constant stress or constant strain, respectively.

Suitable Material Types

  • Polymers: Thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers
  • Composites: Fiber-reinforced materials, carbon/glass fiber laminates
  • Metals & Alloys: Limited DMA applications for damping analysis
  • Biomaterials: Soft tissues, hydrogels, medical polymers

Suitable Applications

  • Aerospace & Automotive: Vibration damping, thermal stability analysis
  • Electronics & Packaging: PCB materials, encapsulants, adhesives
  • Biomedical Devices: Implant polymers, viscoelastic characterization
  • Energy & Structural Applications: Wind turbine blades, high-performance composites

Conclusion

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) provides critical insight into the viscoelastic behavior of materials under dynamic conditions. With various ASTM and ISO standards – ASTM D5023, ASTM D5024, ASTM D5026, ASTM D5279, ASTM D7028 and ISO 6721 – governing different test modes, DMA enables precise characterization of modulus, damping, and time-dependent properties over temperature and frequency ranges. These insights guide material selection, design optimization, and long-term performance predictions across multiple industries.

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