Parameter torsion pendulum

The determination of G and A (or any equivalent pair of dynamic mechanical parameters) is used very commonly both as a research tool and also as a quality control tool. The measurements are made at constant frequency over an extremely wide range of temperature, usually by torsion pendulum. 

Crystalline polymers exhibit more mechanical relaxations than amorphous polymers. It is not an overstatement to remark that the greater number of mechanical relaxations in crystalline polymers is the cause of the substantial difference in properties between crystalline and amorphous polymers (4.N.4). For example in linear (LPE) and branched (BPE) polyethylene at temperatures above — 200 "C, there is a sequence of relaxations (see Fig. 4.12). In branched PE the processes are y-relaxation at — 120 C, -relaxation at — lO C, and a-relaxation at 70 C. The presence of a relaxation is detected most easily by the peak in A this is one reason why this parameter is of value. The relaxation observed in creep in linear PE at room temperature and above (shown in Fig. 4.4) is the a-process. The torsion pendulum is a useful tool for yielding quickly a description of temperature regions where creep or stress-relaxation processes are to be expected. In addition, the relaxation temperatures often mark transitions in ductility the polymer becomes increasingly brittle as it is eooled. 

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