5.1 This test method provides a simple means of characterizing the thermomechanical behavior of plastic compositions using very small amounts of material. The data obtained can be used for quality control and/or research and development purposes. For some classes of materials, such as thermosets, it can also be used to establish optimum processing conditions.

5.2 Dynamic mechanical testing provides a sensitive method for determining thermomechanical characteristics by measuring the elastic and loss moduli as a function of frequency, temperature, or time. Plots of moduli and tan delta of a material versus these variables provide graphical representation indicative of functional properties, effectiveness of cure (thermosetting resin system), and damping behavior under specified conditions.

5.3 This test method can be used to assess:

5.3.1 Modulus as a function of temperature,

5.3.2 Modulus as a function of frequency,

5.3.3 The effects of processing treatment, including orientation,

5.3.4 Relative resin behavioral properties, including cure and damping,

5.3.5 The effects of substrate types and orientation (fabrication) on elastic modulus,

5.3.6 The effects of formulation additives which might affect processability or performance,

5.3.7 The effects of annealing on modulus and glass transition temperature,

5.3.8 The effect of aspect ratio on the modulus of fiber reinforcements, and

5.3.9 The effect of fillers, additives on modulus and glass transition temperature.

5.4 Before proceeding with this test method, reference should be made to the specification of the material being tested. Any test specimen preparation, conditioning, dimensions, or testing parameters, or combination thereof, covered in the relevant ASTM materials specification shall take precedence over those mentioned in this test method. If there are no relevant ASTM material specifications, then the default conditions apply.

1.1 This test method outlines the use of dynamic mechanical instrumentation for determining and reporting the viscoelastic properties of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins as well as composite systems in the form of cylindrical specimens molded directly or cut from sheets, plates, or molded shapes. The compression data generated may be used to identify the thermomechanical properties of a plastics material or composition using a variety of dynamic mechanical instruments.

1.2 This test method is intended to provide a means for determining the thermomechanical properties (as a function of a number of viscoelastic variables) for a wide variety of plastic materials using nonresonant, forced-vibration techniques as outlined in Practice D4065. Plots of the elastic (storage) modulus, loss (viscous) modulus, complex modulus, and tan delta as a function of frequency, time, or temperature are indicative of significant transitions in the thermomechanical performance of the polymeric material system.

1.3 This test method is valid for a wide range of frequencies, typically from 0.01 to 100 Hz.

1.4 Apparent discrepancies may arise in results obtained under differing experimental conditions. These apparent differences from results observed in another study can usually be reconciled, without changing the observed data, by reporting in full (as described in this test method) the conditions under which the data were obtained.

1.5 Due to possible instrumentation compliance, the data generated are intended to indicate relative and not necessarily absolute property values.

1.6 Test data obtained by this test method are relevant and appropriate for use in engineering design.

1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Note 1: There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.