What is Calorimetry and Thermal Analysis?
Understanding the fundamental thermal transitions and stability is important for elucidating performance of a material. There are multiple methodologies which can be useful for determining these object and material characteristics, but none as accurate as calorimetric analysis. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) can be useful for determining fundamental thermodynamic properties of a material over specific temperature ranges, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) can provide insight into the stability of a material with respect to temperature.
What Properties can you Obtain from these Measurements?
A variety physical properties can be measured through calorimetric measurements, including heat capacity (Cp), glass transition temperatures (Tg), enthalpy of transitions (ΔH), phase changes, solidus and liquidus points, and thermal stability. Below is a few methods which we can recommend for measuring these values.
- Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
- Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)
- Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) – includes coupled TGA and DSC testing (TG-DSC) and coupled TGA and DTA testing (TG-DTA)
- High sensitivity microcalorimetry with a 3-dimensional heat flow sensor (3D DSC)
In what Applications are these Techniques used?
Thermal analysis and calorimetry see a very broad application. Anywhere thermodynamics or chemical stability can be a concern is a field where thermal analysis and calorimetry will see application. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Cosmetics
- Food science
- Polymers
- Materials Science
- Metallurgy
- Ceramics
- Batteries
- Electronics
- Petroleum
- Geology
… and many, many more.
What kind of Materials can be Tested with Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry?
A diverse array of sample materials can be tested with thermal analysis and calorimetry. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Thermoplastics
- Epoxies
- Copolymers
- Reaction mixtures
- Solutions
- Solvents
- Catalysts
- Ceramics
- Metals
- Natural products like wood
- Coal
… and more.
What is Differential Scanning Calorimetry?
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a technique to provide insight into thermal transitions that do not cause a weight change. By monitoring heat flow over a time and at desired temperatures, we can provide insight into these material transitions. TAL offers the DSC analysis of a variety of organic, polymer, mineral and metallic samples from ambient up to 1600 °C (and DTA up to 1200 °C). We offer insight into a material’s phase changes (melting point, boiling point, fusion), heat capacity (Cp), and in the case of polymers, the glass transition temperatures (Tg). Additionally, we offer high pressure DSC analysis, using a pressured closed crucible (500 bar @ 500 °C), which is optimal for providing insight into low-vapour pressure liquids.
DSC Testing Services
| Labsys Evo DSC | µDSC VII | DSC 131 | |
| Temperature Range | 0 – 1600 °C | -15 – 120 °C | 0 – 500 °C |
| Isothermal Accuracy | ± 1 °C | ± 0.1 °C | ± 0.5 °C |
| Ramping Rate | 0.001 – 100 °C/min | 0.001 – 2 °C/min | 0.001 – 50 °C/min |
| Sample Size | Minimum 10 mg | Minimum 5 mg | Minimum 5 mg |
| Sample Volume | Max 100 mm3 | Max 1 mL | 10 – 100 µL |
| Gases | Air, nitrogen, Argon | Air, Nitrogen, Argon | Nitrogen or Argon |
| Pressure | Ambient | Ambient – 400 bar | Ambient – 500 bar |
What is Differential Thermal Analysis?
Like DSC, DTA looks at the thermal transitions within a sample or analyte of choice. However, DTA looks at the thermal differences between a sample and a specific inert reference sample. DTA provides exact measures of enthalpy change within a sample with analytical precision and reproducibility. This is particularly useful for phase-change materials and the study of organic and polymeric materials.
DTA Testing Services
| Temperature Range | Ambient – 1200 °C |
| Isothermal Accuracy | ± 1 °C |
| Ramping Rate | 0.001 – 100 °C/min |
| Sample Size | 20 – 50 mg |
| Sample Volume | 20 – 80 mm3 |
| Available Gases | Air, Nitrogen, Argon |
| Pressure | Ambient |
What is Thermogravimetric Analysis?
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a technique to provide insight into mass changes through a desired temperature range. By monitoring the weight of a sample within a furnace, thermal effects that cause a weight change can be identified and studied. This is perfect for the thermal analysis of a material’s decomposition temperature, thermal stability, adsorption and desorption, dehydration, and combustion. We offer TGA services using our Labsys Evo with capabilities of analyzing a variety of organic, polymer and mineral samples.
TGA Testing Services
| Temperature Range | Ambient – 1600 °C |
| Weight Range | ± 200 mg |
| Weight Resolution | 0.5 µg |
| Ramping Rate | 0.001 – 100 °C/min |
| Sample Size | 20 – 50 mg |
| Sample Volume | 20 – 80 mm3 |
| Available Gases | Air, Nitrogen, Argon |
| Pressure | Ambient |
What is Simultaneous Thermal Analysis?
Simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) is a subset of thermal analysis techniques where two or more properties are monitored as a function of temperature. In the STA we offer, the weight of a given material and heat flow is monitored over a given temperature range. Thermal Analysis Labs can provide a complete simultaneous thermal analysis of sample’s thermal stability (TGA) and thermal properties (DSC or DTA) on a single sample. By combining and completing this service on one single sample, we can provide a full characterization of a material’s thermal properties. This is perfect for applications in hydrogen storage materials, polymer materials, organic materials, metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and minerals. Our capabilities include: TG-DSC (ambient to 1600 °C) and TGA-DTA (ambient to 1200 °C).
STA Testing Services
| TGA-DSC | TGA-DTA | |
| Temperature Range | Ambient – 1600 °C | Ambient – 1200 °C |
| Weight Resolution | 0.5 µg | 0.5 µg |
| Weight Range | ± 200 mg | ± 200 mg |
| Isothermal Accuracy | ± 1 °C | ± 1 °C |
| Ramping Rate | 0.001 – 100 °C/min | 0.001 – 100 °C/min |
| Available Gases | Air, Nitrogen, Argon | Air, Nitrogen, Argon |
| Pressure | Ambient | Ambient |
Other methods may be available. Contact us or call (506) 457-0498 to discuss how we can help with your testing needs.