Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry techniques
Whether you are interested in the thermal stability of a material, its reactivity, its composition or heat management, calorimetry or thermal analysis techniques will provide you with useful information to meet your challenges.
Which technique for which measurement ?
There are many calorimetry and thermal analysis techniques that can cover various characterization needs, under experimental conditions (temperature, atmosphere, pressure,…) that simulate the real conditions of use of materials. The following pages provide information on the principle of these techniques, the typical measurements performed, and the main application fields.
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Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)
This technique measures the temperatures of transformation of materials. It is particularly used to characterize the phase changes of inorganic materials at very high temperatures. It is often referred to as DTA.
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Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
This technique measures the temperature and heat of transformation of materials as well as their thermal capacity. It is usually referred to as DSC.
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Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA)
Simultaneous thermal analysis measures the thermal stability of materials, and provides information about their reactivity or composition. It is sometimes called STA (for simultaneous thermal analysis). It is also often referred to as TG-DSC or TG-ATD as this technique combines thermogravimetry with DTA or DSC methods.
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Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
Thermogravimetric analysis measures the thermal stability of materials, and provides information on their reactivity or composition. It is sometimes referred to as TGA.
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Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
Thermomechanical analysis measures the variation in dimensions of materials as a function of temperature. It is called TMA (for thermomechanical analysis) or dilatometry.
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Calorimetry
This technique measures the temperature and heat of transformation of materials (mainly liquids and solids) as well as their heat capacity.
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Adsorption Analysis
Manometric techniques measure how much a material is capable, under controlled pressure and temperature conditions, of capturing or releasing a particular gas. They are also able to measure the rate at which these phenomena can take place.
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Evolved Gas Analysis
The coupling between thermogravimetric analysis and gas analysis methods such as MS (mass spectrometry), FTIR (infrared spectrometry) or GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) allows further analysis of the composition of a material or its thermal decomposition process.
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Humidity
Moisture can affect the performance and stability of many families of materials. Comparing measurements in a dry atmosphere with measurements at controlled humidity levels can help characterize this influence.
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Corrosive
The service life of many materials used in industry or in everyday’s life is limited by their reactivity towards their environment: oxygen, humidity, salinity, acidity are factors that can accelerate their reaction.
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Pressure
Applying high gas pressure can affect the performance and stability of many families of materials. Comparing measurements at atmospheric pressure and under various gas pressures helps to characterize this influence.