ASTM D5418-99

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 5418 – 99 An American National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Plastics
Using a Dual Cantilever Beam
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5418; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Mechanical Properties of Plastics
D 4092 Terminology Relating to Dynamic Mechanical
1.1 This test method covers the use of dynamic mechanical
Measurements on Plastics
instrumentation for gathering and reporting the viscoelastic
D 5279 Test Method for Measuring the Dynamic Mechani-
properties of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins and com-
cal Properties of Plastics in Torsion
posite systems in the form of rectangular bars molded directly
or cut from sheets, plates, or molded shapes. The elastic
3. Terminology
modulus data generated may be used to identify the thermo-
3.1 For definitions applicable to this practice see Terminol-
mechanical properties of a plastics material or composition.
ogy D 4092.
1.2 This test method is intended to provide means for
determining the modulus as a function of temperature of
4. Summary of Test Method
plastics using nonresonant forced-vibration techniques, as
4.1 This test method covers the determination of the elastic
outlined in Practice D 4065. Plots of the elastic (storage), loss
modulus of plastics using dynamic mechanical techniques. A
(viscous) and complex moduli, and tan delta as a function of
bar of rectangular cross section is tested as a beam in dynamic
frequency, time, or temperature are indicative of significant
linear displacement or bending. The dual-cantilever beam
transitions in the thermomechanical performance of the poly-
specimen is gripped between two clamps. The specimen of
meric material system.
known geometry is placed in mechanical linear displacement,
1.3 This test method is valid for a wide range of frequencies,
with the displacement strain or deformation applied at the
typically from 0.01 to 100 Hz.
center of the dual-cantilever beam. The forced-strain displace-
1.4 Apparent discrepancies may arise in results obtained
ment is at either a fixed frequency, or variable frequencies at
under differing experimental conditions. These apparent differ-
either isothermal condition, or with a linear temperature
ences from results observed in another study can usually be
increase. The elastic or loss modulus, or both, of the polymeric
reconciled, without changing the observed data, by reporting in
material system are measured in flexure.
full (as described in this test method) the conditions under
which the data were obtained.
5. Significance and Use
1.5 Test data obtained by this test method is relevant and
5.1 This test method provides a simple means of character-
appropriate for use in engineering design.
izing the thermomechanical behavior of plastics materials
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
using a very small amount of material. Since small test
standard.
specimen geometries are used, it is essential that the specimens
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be representative of the material being tested. The data
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
obtained may be used for quality control, research and devel-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
opment, and establishment of optimum processing conditions.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.2 Dynamic mechanical testing provides a sensitive
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
method for determining thermomechanical characteristics by
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
measuring the elastic and loss moduli as a function of
frequency, temperature, or time. Plots of moduli and tan delta
2. Referenced Documents
of a material versus temperature provide graphic representa-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tions indicative of functional properties, effectiveness of cure
D 4065 Practice for Determining and Reporting Dynamic
(thermosetting-resin systems), and damping behavior under
specified conditions.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
Current edition approved March 10, 1999. Published June 1999. Originally The particular method for measurement of the elastic and loss moduli and tan
published as D 5418 – 93. Last previous edition D 5418 – 95a. delta depends upon the individual instrument’s operating principles.
D 5418
5.3 This test method can be used to assess the following: other dimensions can be used but should be clearly identified in
5.3.1 The modulus as a function of temperature or aging, or the report section.
both,
8. Calibration
5.3.2 The modulus as a function of frequency,
5.3.3 The effects of processing treatment, including orien- 8.1 Calibrate the instrument according to procedures recom-
tation, induced stress, and degradation of physical and chemi-
mended by the manufacturer.
cal structure,
9. Conditioning
5.3.4 Relative resin behavioral properties, including cure
and damping,
9.1 Conditioning—Condition the test specimens at 23.0 6
5.3.5 The effects of substrate types and orientation (fabri-
2.0°C and 50 6 5 % relative humidity for not fewer than 40 h
cation) on elastic modulus, and
prior to test in accordance with Procedure A of Practice D 618
5.3.6 The effects of formulation additives that might affect for those materials requiring conditioning.
processability or performance.
10. Procedure
6. Apparatus
10.1 Use an untested specimen for each measurement.
Measure the width and thickness of the specimen to the nearest
6.1 The function of the apparatus is to hold in a horizontal
0.03 mm at the center of the specimen.
position a dual cantilever beam (a rectangular cross-sectional
10.2 Clamp the test specimen between the movable and
bar) so that the material acts as the elastic and dissipative
stationary members; use shim stock, if necessary, to minimize
element in a mechanically driven linear displacement system.
slippage within the clamp.
Dynamic mechanical instruments operate at a forced, constant
10.3 Pre-load the test specimen so that there is a positi
...