Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) is used to study the properties of materials as a function of temperature.
MCL has a Netzsch 402 F1/F3 Hyperion TMA. The specs for the instrument are:
| Maximum force | 3 N |
| Force resolution | < 0.1 mN |
| Displacement resolution | 0.125 nm |
| Temperature range | Steel furnace: -150 to 1000 °C SiC furnace: room temp. to 1550 °C |
| Heating/cooling rate | 0.001 K/min. to 50 K/min. |
| Atmospheres | Inert (Ar, N), oxidizing, reducing, vacuum |
Sample size requirements
MCL has expansion, penetration, 3-point bending, and tension clamps avaliable, though the clamps may only be used in specific temperature ranges. The maximum sample sizes are dictated by clamp type, as noted in the table below.
| Temperature range | Clamp (experiment) type | Maximum dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| room temperature - 1550 °C | Expansion/penetration | 10 mm (dia.); 30 mm (length) |
| 3 point bending | 24 mm (length) by 5 mm (width) | |
| Tension | 30 mm (length) by 8 mm (width) by 1 mm (thickness) | |
| -150 to 1000 °C | Expansion/penetration | 12 mm (dia.); 30 mm (length) |
| 3 point bending | 24 mm (length) by 5 mm (width) | |
| Tension | 30 mm (length) by 8 mm (width) by 1 mm (thickness) | |
| -150 to 500 °C | Tension | 30 mm (length) by 8 mm (width) by 1 mm (thickness) |
TMA 402 F1 Hyperion