Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Services
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a powerful analytical technique used to characterize the physical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of non-metallic materials. By applying a controlled oscillating force to a sample, DMA provides critical insight into material behavior under sustained loading conditions, helping manufacturers predict long-term performance and prevent field failures.
Our laboratory utilizes DMA testing protocols to analyze solids, liquids, and polymers, evaluating essential parameters such as:
- Modulus: Material stiffness and resistance to deformation (Storage and Loss Modulus).
- Damping (Tan Delta): The material's capacity to dissipate mechanical energy (vital for vibration-damping materials).
- Viscoelasticity: How a material behaves under combined elastic (solid-like) and viscous (fluid-like) conditions.
How DMA Testing is Performed
DMA evaluates material properties as a function of time, temperature, and frequency.
- Fixturing: A material sample is securely clamped into the measurement head of the state-of-the-art DMA instrument.
- Sinusoidal Excitation: A non-contact linear drive motor applies a precise, sinusoidal force (stress) to the sample via a probe. Our systems utilize low-friction air bearings to ensure absolute data integrity.
- Deformation Tracking: The instrument detects the exact material deformation (strain) caused by the oscillating force, measuring the precise phase difference and relationship between the applied stress and resulting strain.
Flexible Testing Variables
Our equipment allows for highly customized testing matrixes depending on your application:
- Isothermal Testing: Holding temperature constant while sweeping through different frequencies.
- Temperature Sweeps: Keeping frequency constant while ramping temperatures up or down.
- Dynamic Mapping: Analyzing a combined, multi-variant relationship between temperature and frequency simultaneously.
DMA Laboratory Control Modes
To simulate real-world application environments, our DMA instruments can be configured to run under different mechanical control modes:
- Strain Control vs. Stress Control: Tests can be displacement-driven (Strain Control) for rapid response times and easy measurement setup, or force-driven (Stress Control) for precise load management.
- Axial vs. Torsional Forces: Axial forces (tension, compression, flexure) are applied to analyze rigid solids, while torsional forces (twisting) are applied to evaluate liquids, gels, and highly flexible solids.
DMA Core Testing Capabilities
Instead of running disjointed tests, our team groups DMA methods to solve specific engineering and manufacturing challenges:
Thermal & Phase Transitions
- Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) Measurement
- Secondary Transition Phase Determinations
- Cold Crystallization Testing
Viscoelastic & Mechanical Performance
- Material Stiffness & Modulus Testing
- Creep & Stress Relaxation Analysis
- Dynamic Oscillatory & Transient Testing
- Phase Difference & Damping Efficiency
Processing & Composition Evaluation
- Orientation Determinations (molecular alignment caused by manufacturing/molding)
- Properties of Filler Effects in Advanced Composites
DMA Testing Standards We Meet
Our laboratory performs dynamic mechanical testing in strict accordance with major industry compliance standards:
- ASTM E1640: Standard Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition Temperature by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
- ASTM D7028: Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) of Polymer Matrix Composites by DMA
- ASTM D5023: Measuring Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics: In Flexure (Three-Point Bending)
- ASTM D5024: Measuring Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics: In Compression
- ASTM D5026: Measuring Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics: In Tension
- ASTM E1867: Standard Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Dynamic Mechanical Analyzers
MECHANICAL TESTING METHODS
Abrasion (Taber)
Bend Testing
Bond Strength Testing
Charpy Impact Testing (-320°F to 450°F)
Climbing Drum Adhesion of Sandwich Composites
Coating Adhesion
Coating Shear Fatigue
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion by TMA
Composite Testing (Fiber Reinforced)
Compression Set
Compressive Properties
Core Shear Properties of Sandwich Construction by Beam Flexure
Creep and Stress Rupture Testing
DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer)
Ductility
Elastic Modulus
Fatigue Testing
Filled Hole Tension & Compression
Flattening
Flat-wise Tensile Testing
Flexural Properties
Floating Roller Peel Strength
Fracture Mechanics
Gel Time
Hardness (Rockwell, Brinell, Durometer, Shore, Barcol, Knoop, Vickers, Macro Vickers)
Heat Aging
Heat Deflection by TMA
Heat Treatment (furnace to 2100°F)
Hydrogen Embrittlement
Hydrostatic Pressure
Indentation Toughness
Interlaminar Shear
Jominy Hardenability
Lap Shear Testing
Machining & Specimen Preparation
Materialography
Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
n-Value (Strain Hardening Exponent)
Open Hole Tension and Compression
Pipeline Integrity Testing
r-Value (Plastic Strain Ratio)
Residual Strength of Composites After Impact
Rotating Beam Fatigue
Shear Testing of Rivets to ASTM B565, Single/Double
Short Beam Strength
Shot Peen Qualification
Single-Edged Notched beams (SENB)
Slow Strain Rate (G129)
Specimen Conditioning
Strain Gaging
Surface Roughness (ANSI/ASME B46.1)
T Peel Strength
Tear Resistance of Films & Sheeting
Tear - Rubbers & Elastomers
Tensile Testing
Torsional and Axial Fatigue (200 lb)
Tube Testing (Tensile, Flare, Hydrostatic)
Welder & Procedure Qualification
Wire/Spring Testing (Wrap, Coil, Bend)
Young's, Tangent and Chord Modulus (Room Temperature)
DYNAMIC MECHANICAL ANALYSIS FAQ'S
IMR can perform DMA testing within a few days of receiving a test sample, and expedited options are available.
DMA is a thermal test that indicates a material's force, stress, strain, frequency, and temperature.
RELEVANT ACCREDITATIONS
Click here for a complete list of accreditations and certifications for all IMR Test Labs locations.
