Dynamic mechanical analysis applied to the characterisation of closed cellpolyolefin foams

In this work, a collection of polyolefin foams with closed cell structure a nd different chemical compositions and densities was studied by using scann ing electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Due to their complicated structure, the foamed materials present a non-linear dynamic mechanical behaviour, which h as to be taken into account in their dynamic mechanical characterisation.. From the experimental results, the deformation mechanisms in this type of m echanical tests were also studied. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.