Editing Dynamic mechanical analysis (section)

===Viscoelastic properties of materials===
[[Image:Dynamic+Tests+Setup+Chem+538.jpg|thumb|325px|Figure 1. A typical DMA tester with grips to hold the sample and an environmental chamber to provide different temperature conditions. A sample is mounted on the grips and the environmental chamber can slide over to enclose the sample.]]
Polymers composed of long molecular chains have unique viscoelastic properties, which combine the characteristics of [[Elasticity (physics)|elastic solid]]s and [[Newtonian fluid]]s. The classical theory of elasticity describes the mechanical properties of elastic solids where stress is proportional to strain in small deformations. Such response to stress is independent of [[strain rate]].  The classical theory of hydrodynamics describes the properties of viscous fluid, for which stress response depends on strain rate.<ref name="Ferry1980">{{cite book|last=Ferry|first=J.D.|title=Viscoelastic properties of polymers|publisher=Wiley|year=1980|edition=3}}</ref> This solidlike and liquidlike behaviour of polymers can be modelled mechanically with combinations of springs and dashpots, making for both elastic and viscous behaviour of viscoelastic materials such as bitumen.<ref name="Ferry1991">{{cite journal|last=Ferry|first=J.D|year=1991|title=Some reflections on the early development of polymer dynamics: Viscoelasticity, dielectric dispersion and self-diffusion|doi=10.1021/ma00019a001|journal=Macromolecules|volume=24|issue=19|pages=5237–5245|bibcode = 1991MaMol..24.5237F }}</ref>