An Ultrasonic Testing Technique for Monitoring the Cure and Mechanical Properties of Polymeric Materials

Thin specimens approx. 10 mils can be tested using an ultrasonic technique to determine their moduli and Poissons ratio. For this report, the thin specimens ultrasonic response is FFT analyzed in an attempt to extend the technique for cure monitoring of polymeric systems. Two such systems are examined and the ultrasonic results compared with differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical measurements. Two parameters were measured as a function of time the ultrasonic peak frequency and amplitude. The results suggest that it may be possible to monitor the cure through observation of these two parameters.