Heat distortion and mechanical properties of polymers by thermal‐mechanical analysis

Polymer properties were measured as a function of temperature at 5 and 10°C per minute heating rates and as a function of time at constant temperature, using the Du Pont 940 thermal‐mechanical analyzer. Data are reported on deflection temperature under load, vicat softening temperature, and creep properties. These results have been correlated with ASTM values. These tests require short times and are applicable to thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers.