Association of relaxation signals with movements of certain molecular/ioni

pecies is usually a result of sufficient knowledge about the composition, th

microstructure and morphology of the sample, and information from paralle
nondielectric investigations (e.g., NMR and IR). A major advantage of dielec
ric analysis over other common thermal techniques is its applicability in
ery broad frequency range (10Hz100 GHz), which usually requires a serie
of instruments for complete coverage. Nevertheless, for everyday purposes, i
s generally sufficient to concentrate in a smaller frequency range (of five t
ight decades in frequency) adapted to the material properties. The decompo
ition of the dielectric spectrum into its individual relaxation processes pro
ides information on the relative amplitudes (relaxation strength) an
haracteristic times (relaxation times) of the individual motions. Of th
echniques described in this book, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is th
most similar to isochronal (at fixed frequency) dielectric analysis. DMA mea
ures mechanical stiffness (modulus) and energy absorption by subjecting
pecimen to oscillating mechanical stress or strain within the linear viscoelasti
egion. In this manner, a variety of molecular motions can be traced. Direc
omparisons between DMA and DEA results, obtained in the same frequenc
ange, are usually feasible only in the case of polymers showing moderate t
trong polarizability. However, considering the narrow width of the frequenc
window available for dynamic mechanical studies (broadest range 1 mHz
kHz), dielectric analysis of polar systems can add information on certai
physical properties at much higher frequencies (easily extending up to th
GHz region).