Correlation of mechanical and acoustical properties of plasticized epoxy polymers

In the present experimental work the influence of the percentage of plasticizer on the mechanical and acoustical properties of the plasticized epoxy polymers was studied. The velocity cl of the longitudinal waves and the acoustic attenuation coefficient α were evaluated from the acoustical properties. Also the influence of curing time of plasticized epoxy polymers on the acoustical properties, cl and α, was examined and it was found out that these quantities tend to their limiting values when the polymerization is completed. Furthermore, the determined acoustical properties are correlated with the corresponding mechanical properties for the same materials, which were also considered in earlier papers. So, a simple and quick experimental nondestructive technique is provided for the evaluation of the elastic properties, as well as of the epoxy polymers composition, by determining the velocity cl of the longitudinal waves only.