Infrared photoacoustic and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy of sheet-molded compounds

Chemical and physical characteristics of sheet-molded compounds were investigated using infrared and mechanical spectroscopies. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with photoacoustic detection facilitated surface analysis for determination of composition, depth profile, and thermal exposure effects. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy utilized torsion, tension, and flexure modes to evaluate temperature and frequency-dependent viscoelastic properties.