A comparison of elastic moduli derived from theory, microindentation, and ultrasonic testing

The objective of our work was to evaluate the elastic modulus through ultrasonic testing of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) (PMMA/coMAA), a viscoelastic polymer similar to the commercial Eudragit, to calculate this modulus, assuming a regular arrangement of interacting groups, and ultimately, assess the accuracy of microindentation as a means of evaluating elasticity in very small samples.

Knoop indentation testing was performed on cast samples using a Tukon testing apparatus. Solid density and pulse echo testing employing a damped 15 MHz transducer served to quantify the elastic moduli. Using the Hoy method of calculation for molar attraction constants, and assuming pairwise addition, the modulus was calculated and compared with typical experimental values for amorphous and crystalline polymers.

Acoustic testing resulted in an average elastic modulus value of 5.67 +/- 0.2 GPa for this copolymer, which concurs with literature values for PMMA. Acoustically derived experimental moduli when normalized and plotted against calculated values, resulted in a relationship, E/(1 - 2v) = 17.0 (Ecoh + xc delta Hm)/V + 6.9, similar to that predicted in theory.

Indentation contact modeling does not adequately describe the real recovery under indentation. In contrast, acoustic testing of pharmaceutical materials affords a simple, reproducible means of characterizing moduli without impairing structural integrity. Acoustically derived moduli further afford insight into the intermolecular interactions, as expressed by the interaction energy terms.