MCL's thermal analysis suite of characterization capabilities include three techniques: Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Combined TGA/DSC up to 1500C (SDT) and Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) via a TGA coupled to a Mass Spectrometer (TGA-MS). The data obtained by these techniques and applications examples are shown in the table below.
| Technique | Data Obtained | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| TGA | Weight loss/gain in mg and % Temperature of weight change transition |
Thermal and Oxidative Stability of Materials • Composition of Multi-component Systems •The Effect of Reactive or Corrosive Atmospheres on Materials •Moisture and Volatiles Content of Materials |
| DSC | Heat flow changes with temperature |
Melting and Crystallization temperatures • Glass transition temperature (amorphous materials) • “cold” crystallization • Heat capacity • Cure kinetics • Crystalline content |
| SDT | Combined Heat flow and weight loss/gain as a function of temperature | Same as TGA and DSC with TGA capabilities up to 1500C and heat flow capabilities from 200 to 1500C |
| TGA-MS |
Evolved Gas Analysis Composition of gasses (m/z) evolved as temperature increases in a TGA |
Identification of individual degradation products, residual solvents and contamination
|
The Thermal Lab Suite
Typical DSC signals
Combined TGA (top) and DSC (bottom) signals
Combined TGA and EGA signals
The following thermal instruments are available at MCL:
- TGA: Discovery TGA 550 with autploader (TA Instruments) RT-1000
- DSC: Discovery 2500 with autoloader (TA Instruments) -110-400C
- SDT: SDT 650 with autoloader (TA Instruments) RT-1500C
- TGA MS: Discovery TGA 5500 coupled with Discovery MS (Ta Instruments) RT-1000C
| Instrument | TGA 550 | Discovery TGA-MS | TA 2500 DSC | SDT 650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | TGA | TGA and EGA | Dedicated DSC | Simultaneous TGA and DSC |
| Temp. Range (°C) | 25-1000C | 25 to 1000 | 25-1000C | 25 to 1550 |
| Sample crucible type | Platinum |
Alumina (250) Platinum (100) Aluminum (80) |
Aluminum; T-zero hermetic and non-hermetic |
Alumina (85) Platinum (85) |
| Typical sample size (mg) | 1-100 | 1-100 | 1-10 | 1-10 |
| Additional features |
Evolved gas atomic mass range 1-300 amu |
Modulated DSC Capability |