Crystallization Determination Thermal Analysis Instruments

Thermogravimetric analysis is a technique that measures the change in weight of a sample as it is heated or cooled. When a TGA is equipped with thermocouples, it can be simultaneously used to study the crystallization behavior and decomposition of a material. A TGA/DSC can be used at temperatures up to 1600°C, therefore, high temperature crystallization behavior can also be measured.

TMA measures the dimensional changes of a material as a function of temperature, time, or force. During crystal formation, materials may undergo a change in volume due to the formation of crystal structures. TMA can detect these changes in volume and provide information about the degree and rate of crystallization.

Dynamic mechanical analysis is a technique that measures the mechanical properties of a material as a function of temperature, time, or frequency. Dynamic mechanical analysis is used to study the mechanical behavior of a material during crystallization and crystal formation, such as changes in stiffness, modulus, or damping.

In Flash DSC, a small amount of sample is heated or cooled at ultra-fast rates. Therefore, a material can be locked in a particular state without the possibility of rearrangement. Flash DSC is commonly used to determine isothermal crystallization behavior.

Optical techniques, such as hot-stage microscopy, are a useful tool for determining the behavior of materials as they go through a crystallization process. As a material starts to crystalize, the nuclei will become visible; therefore, qualitative results can be obtained. This is especially helpful for materials that exhibit polymorphism.

The crystallization behavior of polymers, metals and alloys, pharmaceuticals, and food are studied by thermal analysis.

Polymorphism refers to the ability of a substance or material to exist in multiple crystal structures or forms, known as polymorphs. Polymorphs have the same chemical composition but differ in their physical properties, such as melting point, density, and solubility, due to differences in their crystal structure. Polymorphism is important as the properties of a specific polymorph can affect the efficacy and stability of a drug, or the properties of a material.