Dynamic Young's Modulus Measurement from 295 K to 6 K

Authors: J. Zhang, A. Nyilas, and B. Obst, Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre

Abstract

A transducer system based on strain gauge technology was developed and applied to bar type specimens to determine the dynamic Young’s modulus. The system was installed in a continuous flow cryostat working in the temperature range 295-6K. The adapted technique is the remote mechanical excitation of the bar as a cantilever beam and the on-line determination of the fundamental free vibration frequency using a commercially available electronic instrument. This simple and economic method is able to measure the material’s dynamic Young’s modulus, E, and shear modulus, G, with a high degree of accuracy (error < +/- 2.0%). The Poisson’s ratio, ?, can therefore be determined, according to the measured values of E and G. Six different engineering materials were characterized with respect to their elastic properties between 295 and 6 K. The dynamic Young’s modulus versus temperature measurements were compared with the results of static stress - strain measurements carried out in the same test facility.