Abstract: | This report summarizes some initial results on the use of a perforated brass shim stock support to extend the useful range of dynamic mechanical testing well over 100 degrees above the traditional limiting polymer softening points of Tg or Tm. Weak secondary relaxations were observed above Tg in both polyisobutylene (PIB) and polystyrene (PS) homopolymer, copolymer, and blend systems and above Tm in gutta percha (trans-polyisoprene). The DuPont 981 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)–990 Thermal Analyzer system was used to characterize these weak liquid state processes. The DMA instrument deforms the specimen in flexure, thus minimizing the shear component present in some other techniques. Specimen-coating weights are typically in the range 20–40 mg. The perforations are particularly useful for polymers having low inherent adhesion to metals or systems which are very brittle in the glassy state, e.g., low MW PS's and many methacrylates. |