Anomalies, influencing factors, and guidelines for DMA testing of fiber reinforced composites

Abstract This study systematically assessed the measurement of dynamic properties of a range of fiber reinforced composite materials using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) instrument. The discrepancy in the moduli from DMA to ASTM tests was investigated. The study showed that proper specimen preparation, maintaining appropriate aspect ratio (span to thickness ratio) to reduce the transverse shear deformation, and sufficient loading are critical to measure correct properties from DMA test. The guidelines on aspect ratio and loading for plastics to high‐modulus carbon fiber composites are presented as a design chart and equations, respectively. The study also found that the glass transition temperature (T_g) was independent of specimen aspect ratio and T_g is lower for multidirectional composites when compared with its unidirectional composites. The particle interleaved T800H/3900‐2 composite showed two glass transition temperatures (140 and 198°C), the lower value is due to the effect of interleaving by thermoplastic particles, and the higher value is the T_g of its base matrix. This lowering of T_g would have significant effect on the application temperature of the material. This phenomenon was not observed here to fore in the literature. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers