Dielectric relaxation of collagen and gelatin

Dielectric dispersions of reconstituted collagens and gelatin were measured from 0.1 to 10 kHz and −160 to +160°C. At 0.1 kHz there is a γ transition at −80°C which is attributed to the H2O‐coupled local modes. The process has an activation energy of 7.5 kcal. A devitrification process is observed at 10–20°C. Both of these processes have their counterparts in the dynamic mechanical measurements. The tan δ values are up to 3 times as great for the dynamic mechanical dispersions. There is an additional hightemperature dielectric loss transition which does not correspond to any seen with the mechanical experiments. A probable mechanism for this absorption is the Maxwell‐Wagner‐Sillars effect.