Tutorials for Thermal Analysis

Thermal analysis includes four versatile main techniques and is a well-established analytical method for materials characterization.

 The tutorials explain the techniques and show how thermal analysis can help you in your particular field of work.

For tips and hints on thermal analysis experiments and evaluations, you can download a comprehensive handbook for free at www.mt.com/ta-tips

 The following tutorials are currently available:

Thermal Analysis

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the main thermal analysis (TA) techniques, namely DSC, TOA, TGA, TMA and DMA. Thermal analysis techniques provide valuable information on the thermal properties of materials, and are relatively simple compared to many alternative methods. This webinar is aimed at getting you familiarized with thermal analysis in general, and demonstrates the common uses of thermal analysis techniques, in various industries, with a number of interesting application examples.

DSC

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the basic principles of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), including several application examples. DSC is widely used to determine the glass transition and investigate chemical reactions, melting and crystallization. Other DSC applications deal with the influence of additives, fillers or the processing of materials.

Flash DSC

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the basic principles of Flash Differential Scanning Calorimetry (FDSC), including several application examples.  Flash DSC overcomes certain limits of conventional DSC by achieving ultra-high cooling-rates, typical in real-life production, and ultra-high heating rates – allowing one to separate physical and chemical effects, such as melting from decomposition. FDSC therefore has a central role in the optimization of production process and characterization of novel materials.

TGA

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the basic principles of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), including several application examples. TGA, sometimes in combination with DSC (TGA/DSC), are widely used for compositional analysis, for example to determine the content of volatiles, polymers, carbon black, or fillers in polymers. Other applications include the investigation of desorption or adsorption processes, evaporation behavior, and the influence of reactive gases.

TMA

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the basic principles of Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), including several application examples. TMA is frequently used to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in a wide range of materials such as polymers, metals and alloys and composites. TMA can be also used to determine the softening temperatures of coatings, lacquers and adhesives to check that curing is sufficient. In the textile and packaging industries, TMA is often used to characterize the expansion and shrinkage behavior of films and fibers. Creep and recovery of elastomers for sealing applications is also an important application.

DMA

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the basic principles of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), including several application examples.  DMA is mainly used for the measurement of glass transitions, for investigating the curing reactions of thermosets and elastomers with regard to process optimization, or for studying damping behavior. Furthermore, modulus values can be determined.

Quality Control

In this tutorial video, we will discuss the main analytical applications of thermal analysis (TA) techniques, including DSC, TGA, TMA and DMA, in the field of quality control.

TA is one of the many tools used to monitor the quality of materials and manufacturing processes, providing fast, accurate and reproducible results. This video discusses applications for each of the techniques illustrating how they can be used to ensure product quality. It also briefly presents some features in STARe thermal analysis software especially useful for quality control.