Advanced Motion Control for Durability, Part Characterization and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

This white paper reviews technologies used to produce motion and exert forces on a test specimen using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and related testing applications. Refer to Figure 1 for typical types of DMA testing.

Generally, there is an interest when studying materials to understand their dynamic modulus (elasticity, tensile strength, etc.) that describes the relationship between stress and strain in the material. When studying widgets (shock absorbers, rubber mounts, etc.), interest is usually in the durability of the widget in a variety of operating conditions. Both of these tests consider specific operating points and ranges of frequencies, temperatures, and/or displacements.