Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Some Polystyrene Composites

Abstract
Dynamic shear modulus and damping have been determined on poly styrene filled with glass beads which have been given surface treatments, ground glass, ground rock salt, and foams made by extracting the salt with water. Soaking the glass bead filled polystyrene in water and then redrying produces a permanent increase in damping. Data on ground glass and on rock salt composites illustrate the importance of maximum packing volume on the modulus. It is shown that moduli determined by torsional tests or by flexural tests are in error due to a polymer-rich skin. A simple method is given for correcting this error.
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