Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

TA INSTRUMENTS DMA Q800

TA Instruments DMA Q800
TA Instruments DMA Q800 - Graph
The Figure shows Viscoelastic spectrum for a typical amorphous polymer
TA Instruments DMA Q800 - Image
Typical Materials Tested on a DMA :By changing the clamp, we can test a range of different materials

Sample Requirements

Single and Dual Cantilever: Evaluation of cure and all purpose

  • Sample size
    • Single: 17.5 mm L, up to 15 mm W and  5 mm T
    • Dual: 35 mm L, up to 15 mm W and 5 mm T

3- Point bend (for medium to high modulus)

  • Small: 20 mm W and 10 mm T
  • Large: 50 mm L and 10 mm

Tension

Films: 8- 20 mm L, 5- 6.5 mm W and up to 2 mm T

Shear sandwich

Shear deformation of gels, viscous resins and adhesives: 10mm x 10 mm square of up to 4 mm thick

Compression

Low-medium  modulus (foams), 15- or 40-mm diameter and up to 10 mm thick

Summary of Technique

A Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) measures the mechanical/rheological properties of a material as a function of time, frequency, temperature, stress and strain. DMA works on the principle of applying a force or a deformation to a sample, then sample’s response, which will be a deformation, or a force is measured .

Information Provided & Detection Limits

Composition

Degree of crosslinking, comparison of crystallinity levels, molecular orientation, effect of a filler.

Viscoelastic Properties

Storage modulus, loss modulus, Tan delta, glass transition temperature (Tg), sub-Tg molecular motions (beta and gamma relaxations.)

Physical Properties

Prediction of impact resistance, testing of creep or cold flow, cure behavior.

Lifetime Predictions Using Time Temperature Super Positioning

  • Minimum Force 0.0001 N and Maximum 18N.
  • Force Resolution 0.00001 N
  • Modulus Precision ± 1% and Temperature Range -150 to 600°C
  • Frequency Range 0.01 to 200 Hz
  • Heating Rate 0.1 to 20 °C/min
  • Dynamic Sample Deformation Range ± 0.5 to 10 000 µm

 

Contact Information

Location:  Thermal Analysis, Rheology, and Polymer Processing Lab
Point of Contact: Dennis Ndaya
dennis.ndaya@uconn.edu
860-486-4075