Estimation of the energy dissipation capability for chosen elastomers with application of DMA

The capability of material for energy dissipation is determined through analysis of the complex stiffness moduli. The imaginary part of complex stiffness modulus is proportional to energy dissipation per volume material unit. This estimation is justified when material works in its linearity range (the Boltzman principle is satisfied). In case when elastomers linearity range is crossed almost in all practical application like damping pads, bridge bearings etc. and another method should be used. Pseudo-elasticity phenomena may be observed for elastomers used in civil engineering except its viscous properties. For pseudo-elasticity there is no permanent deformation after unloading and no delay of the material answer with regard to its excitation but energy dissipation is still observed. In the paper the proposition of the particular test carried out for large deformation used for energy dissipation estimation is presented. Five different elastomers are evaluated with this method also with statistical analysis. The influence of the temperature and stress application velocity is investigated and analyzed. The obtained results are presented in the frame of standard methods, main differences are indicated, proving the need for different test method for estimation of material energy dissipation capability.