1. Scope 1.1 This practice covers the use of dynamic mechanical instrumentation for use in gathering and reporting the rheological properties of thermoplastic resins. It may be used as a practice for determining the complex viscosity and significant viscoelastic characteristics of such materials as a function of frequency, strain amplitude, temperature, and time. Such properties may be influenced by fillers and other additives. 1.2 It incorporates a laboratory practice for determining the relevant rheological properties of a polymer melt subjected to various oscillatory deformations on an instrument of the type commonly referred to as mechanical or dynamic spectrometer. 1.3 This practice is intended to provide means of determining the rheological properties of molten polymers, such as thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers over a range of temperatures by nonresonant forced-vibration techniques. Plots of modulus, viscosity, and tan delta as a function of dynamic oscillation (frequency), strain amplitude, temperature, and time are indicative of the viscoelastic properties of a molten polymer. 1.4 This practice is valid for a wide range of frequencies, typically from 0.01 to 100 Hz. 1.5 This practice is intended for homogenous and heterogenous molten polymeric systems and composite formulations containing chemical additives, including fillers, reinforcements, stabilizers, plasticizers, flame retardants, impact modifiers, processing aids, and other important chemical additives often incorporated into a polymeric system for specific functional properties, and which could affect the processability and functional performance. These polymeric material systems have molten viscosities less than 10 Pa[dot]s (10 poise). 1.6 Apparent discrepancies may arise in results obtained under differing experimental conditions. Without changing the observed data, reporting in full (as described in this practice) the conditions under which the data were obtained will enable apparent differences observed in another study to be reconciled. 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.