Determination of complex shear modulus with thickness shear mode resonators

Abstract

The electrical response of polymer-coated acoustic wave sensors depends on changes in the surface mass loading and changes in viscoelastic properties of the coating material. In this paper we consider the acoustic behaviour and the electrical response of a thickness-shear mode resonator on changes in shear parameters of the coating material at its fundamental frequency as well as its third and fifth harmonics. The changes in material properties were induced by temperature changes. Both a glassy and a rubbery polymer were investigated. The complex shear parameter and dynamic glass transition temperature were calculated from impedance measurements.