Secondary Loss Peaks in Glassy Amorphous Polymers

Abstract

Abstract A short description is given of the determination–as a function of frequency and temperature–of secondary mechanical loss peaks in glassy amorphous polymers. The molecular motions causing secondary loss peaks are classified. The dependence on frequency of the temperature of the maximum of the loss peak is discussed. The effects on the secondary loss peaks of structural features such as plasticization, intermoleeularsteric hindrance and polarity, are illustrated by the example of the β-maximum of poly(methyl methacrylate), emphasis being laid on the difference between a glass transition and a secondary loss peak.