Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a technique used to characterize materials, specifically polymers. It applies a displacement to a sample and measures the mechanical response of the bulk material in a controlled temperature environment.
Dynamic mechanical analysis test conditions can be designed to study bulk mechanical properties of organic polymers to assist in determining key functional behavior related to:
Elasticity: Polymer resistance to permanent deformation due to resiliency of structure (recovery; stiffness)
Viscous Response: Deformation without breaking due to dissipation of mechanical energy by internal friction (damping)