ASTM D5992

ASTM D5992 describes several methods for evaluating the dynamic properties of vulcanized rubber (elastomer) and rubber-like materials, and also the products that leverage the properties of these materials in their applications. These often include automotive and related transportation industry functionality performed by tires, springs, dampers, and vibration isolation components such as those used in motor mounts and suspension systems. Other applications with critical mechanical requirements include power transmission couplings, and many flexible, load-carrying devices utilized in a wide variety of industrial, medical, and consumer applications.

 

While ASTM D5992 can be used as a reference standard for general R&D characterization of new materials, it is also frequently used for end-of-line quality control (QC) measurements of stiffness, modulus or damping to ensure production specifications have been achieved. This latter scenario demands quick and accurate dynamic measurements, and the ability to rapidly process pass / fail decision-making.

 

NOTE: Dynamic test result accuracy of viscoelastic materials is mostly influenced by three factors: (1) thermodynamic, the changing internal temperature of the specimen; (2) mechanical, the physical setup of test apparatus; and (3) instrumentation and electronics, the ability to measure and produce signals proportional to the needed physical parameters. It is also important to recognize that (a) the accuracy of a stiffness measurement can be no better than the accuracy of measurement of force and deflection, (b) the accuracy of a modulus measurement can be no better than the accuracy of measurement of the dimensions of the specimen, and (c) the accuracy of a damping measurement can be no better than the excellence of the attachment between specimen and test machine.

 

Solutions for ASTM D5992 typically include these types of components:

 

Both the MTS Acumen® and the tabletop MTS Landmark® test systems are ideal for conducting dynamic mechanical testing of rubber, elastomer and related polymer materials and components according to ASTM D5992 or similar tests. They offer a variety of force capacities and deliver up to 100 Hz of precise, controlled test protocols to accommodate a wide variety of tests to serve both R&D and QC production lines with manual or automated testing.

 

The compact MTS Acumen systems’ electrodynamic test and measurement system consumes less energy than other technologies, and provides a clean, quiet, and cost-effective system operation as a true plug-and-play system. The MTS Landmark 100 Hz Elastomer Test System is a tabletop system that features MTS servohydraulic actuation technology, and may be the preferred test system when testing requirements demand higher force capacities.