Mechanical Components Dynamic Characterization using Thermoelastic Stress Analysis and Digital Image Correlation

In this work the possibility to characterize mechanical components combining thermoelastic measurement technique (TSA) and digital image correlation (DIC) is studied. The combination of these two different methodologies allows to analyze thermo-mechanical characteristics of materials such as plastic and rubber, which are difficult to study with the only thermoelastic methodology. The digital image correlation allows to determinate the first invariant of deformation epsilon(1), using a differential thermocamera. Lack of adiabatic conditions, essential for methodology use, makes analysis not simple. Digital image correlation allows to obtain the same information by correlating digital images acquired during static or dynamic deformationof an object, but with limitations linked to acquisition system. An accurate analysis is dedicated to the study of first invariant of deformation related to Young's module variation, performed by load cycles with variable amplitude and displacement. Comparative analysis between the two measurement methodologies has been performed on rubber samples loaded by dynamic compression.