Characterizing The Viscoelastic Properties Of Elastomers By Small-Scale Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

The viscoelastic properties of polyisobutylene elastomers were measured by small-scale dynamic mechanical analysis in the temperature range of -100 to 200 oC. The small-scale dynamic mechanical analyses were performed by using a flat-tip indenter with an oscillating displacement of amplitude 36 nm. The force amplitude and phase angle were measured, from which the storage modulus E’ and loss tangent tanδ were calculated. The results obtained from indentation experiments are consistent with those obtained from conventional dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA).