Flexural composite oscillators for the measurement of anelastic and elastic properties of solids at frequencies of 1 to 10 kHz

Longitudinal composite oscillators for measuring internal friction, piezoelectric modulus, and strain modulation effects are usually limited to a frequency range of 30 to 200 kHz. If the same crystals are vibrated in flexure, a longitudinal strain can be introduced with the resonance frequency below 3 kHz while at the same time keeping the inherent high Q of the composite system. This paper develops the theory for the strain amplitude and damping for the flexural composite oscillator made up of two quartz crystals plus specimen and, if appropriate, spacers. This high Q technique of vibrating in flexure has applications for strain modulation and damping experiments.