MCL's thermal analysis suite of characterization capabilities includes three techniques: Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) via a TGA coupled to a Mass Spectrometer. 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 |
| EGA | EGA Composition of gasses (m/z) evolved as temperature increases | Identification of individual degradation products, residual solvents and contamination • By-product analysis • Reaction elucidation, stoichiometry |
MCL Thermal Analysis
The Thermal Lab Suite
Figure 1
Typical DSC signals
Figure 2
Combined TGA (top) and DSC (bottom) signals
Figure 3
Combined TGA and EGA signals
The following thermal instruments are available at MCL:
- Discovery TGA 5500 coupled with Discovery MS (TA Instruments)
- DSC Q2000 (TA Instruments)
- STA 449 F3 Jupiter (Netzsch)
| Instrument | Discovery TGA-MS | TA Q2000 DSC | STA 449 F3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | TGA and EGA | Dedicated DSC | Simultaneous TGA and DSC |
| Temp. Range (°C) | 25 to 1000 | -90 to 400 | 25 to 1550 |
| Sample crucible type (and volume, µL) | Alumina (250) Platinum (100) Aluminum (80) | Aluminum; T-zero hermetic and non-hermetic | Alumina (85) Platinum (85) |
| Sample crucible dimensions (mm), diam. x height | 7.8 x 4.3 (Al2O3) 9.0 x 1.5 (Pt) 5.7 x 2.8 (sealed Al) |
5.0 x 2.2 | 6.8 x 4 (Al2O3) 6.5 x 2.6 (Pt) |
| Typical sample size (mg) | 2-50 | 1-10 | 5-30 (sample carrier dependent |
| Additional features | Evolved gas atomic mass range 1-300 amu |
RCS 90 cooling system; controlled cooling rate | Vacuum system: <10 |