Thermal Analysis Services
Thermal testing is the process of evaluating the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of materials or products at their operating to extreme temperatures.
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- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Thermal Analysis Services Overview
Thermal analysis is a group of techniques that measure how a material’s physical or chemical properties change as its temperature is varied in a controlled way. By heating, cooling, or holding a small sample under a defined temperature program, these techniques reveal what happens inside the material – whether it melts, crystallizes, or decomposes; how its stiffness and damping change through transitions; how much it expands or shrinks; and what it loses in mass and at what temperature. The results characterize the material’s composition, thermal stability, transitions, and mechanical behavior as a function of temperature.
The four principal techniques are TGA, DSC, DMA, and TMA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measures mass loss as a function of temperature, revealing decomposition temperatures, moisture and volatiles content, filler content, and thermal stability. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measures heat flow, identifying transitions such as the glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point, crystallization, and curing exotherms. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measures stiffness (storage modulus) and damping (tan δ) as a function of temperature and frequency, providing a sensitive determination of Tg and viscoelastic properties. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) measures dimensional change (expansion or contraction) as a function of temperature, giving the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and softening behavior.
Thermal analysis is fundamental to the development and quality control of polymers, composites, adhesives, pharmaceuticals, and ceramics – any material whose behavior is temperature-dependent and whose composition, transitions, and stability need to be understood and verified.
Thermal Analysis Services Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
Thermal analysis covers the characterization of materials through the measurement of their thermal, thermomechanical, and thermogravimetric properties as a function of a controlled temperature program, using the technique appropriate to the property of interest.
The four principal techniques within the scope are:
- TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) – mass versus temperature, revealing decomposition temperatures, moisture/volatiles, filler/residue content, and oxidative/thermal stability
- DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) – heat flow versus temperature, identifying glass transition (Tg), melt, crystallization, cure exotherm, specific heat capacity, and thermal history
- DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) – storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (E”), and tan δ versus temperature and frequency, giving viscoelastic properties, Tg, and damping characteristics
- TMA (Thermomechanical Analysis) – dimensional change versus temperature, measuring coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), softening point, and dimensional stability
- Atmosphere – measurements run in air (oxidative) or inert gas (nitrogen, argon) depending on whether oxidative behavior or intrinsic thermal stability is being assessed
- Temperature range – sub-ambient to high-temperature, instrument-dependent; typically −150°C to 1,000°C+ for TGA/DSC
Applications
- Polymer characterization – determining Tg, melt temperature, crystallinity, and thermal stability of thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers using DSC and DMA
- Decomposition and stability – identifying decomposition onset temperature and thermal stability limits of polymers, composites, and coatings by TGA
- Filler and composition analysis – quantifying inorganic filler, glass, carbon, or residue content of filled polymers and composites by TGA
- Cure and crosslink characterization – tracking curing exotherms and degree of cure for adhesives, epoxies, and thermosets by DSC
- Viscoelastic properties – measuring stiffness and damping as a function of temperature and frequency for structural and acoustic applications by DMA
- Coefficient of thermal expansion – determining CTE and dimensional stability for components where thermal mismatch is a design concern, by TMA
- Quality control – verifying batch-to-batch consistency in Tg, filler content, thermal stability, and transition temperatures
Benefits
- Four complementary techniques from one capability – TGA, DSC, DMA, and TMA each reveal a different aspect of thermal behavior, and combining them builds a complete picture of a material’s thermal properties
- Identifies transitions that govern material performance – Tg, melt, crystallization, and decomposition temperatures are fundamental to understanding where and how a material can be used
- Quantifies composition directly – TGA gives filler content, moisture, and volatiles as a mass percentage, a direct compositional analysis from a small sample
- Sensitive to processing and formulation differences – thermal analysis detects changes in cure, crystallinity, and composition that reflect processing differences, making it a powerful QC and troubleshooting tool
- Small sample, broad information – milligram quantities are sufficient, yet the techniques provide rich quantitative data on thermal stability, transitions, modulus, and expansion
- Supports material development – thermal data guides formulation, processing optimization, and material selection across polymers, composites, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals
Thermal Analysis Services Test Process
Select the Technique
Choose TGA, DSC, DMA, or TMA and define the temperature programme and atmosphere.
1Prepare the Sample
Weigh or mount a representative sample in the appropriate pan, crucible, or fixture.
2Run the Test
Record mass, heat flow, modulus, damping, or dimensional change during heating.
3Analyse and Report
Determine thermal transitions, mass loss, modulus, or CTE and report the results with test conditions.
4Thermal Analysis Services Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| TGA Outputs | Decomposition onset/peak, mass-loss steps, filler/residue content, thermal stability |
| DSC Outputs | Tg, melt, crystallization, cure exotherm, heat capacity |
| DMA Outputs | Storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), tan δ, Tg, viscoelastic behavior |
| TMA Outputs | CTE, softening point, dimensional change |
| Atmosphere | Air (oxidative) or inert gas (nitrogen, argon) |
| Temperature Range | Sub-ambient to ~1,000°C+ (instrument-dependent) |
| Sample Size | Milligram quantities (TGA/DSC); small specimens (DMA/TMA) |
- Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) with furnace and balance
- Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) with temperature-controlled cell
- Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) with fixture for specimen geometry
- Thermomechanical analyzer (TMA) with probe and sample stage
- Inert gas (nitrogen/argon) and air supply for atmosphere control
- Calibration standards (temperature and heat flow)
- Data analysis software for curve analysis and property extraction
Instrumentation Used for Thermal Analysis Services
Thermal Analysis Services Results and Deliverables
- Thermal analysis report – the technique(s) performed, temperature program, atmosphere, and the extracted results with the thermal curves
- TGA results – mass-loss profile with onset/peak decomposition temperatures, mass-loss percentages, and residue content
- DSC results – thermal transitions (Tg, Tm, Tc, cure exotherm) with temperatures and enthalpies
- DMA results – storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ versus temperature curves, with Tg and other identified transitions
- TMA results – dimensional change versus temperature with CTE and softening behavior
- Comparison against specification (where provided) – measured transition temperatures or composition values against requirements
- Sample records – material identification, sample mass/dimensions, preparation, and conditioning
Frequently Asked Question
Differential Scanning Calorimetry, or DSC, measures heat flow into or out of a sample as temperature changes. It can identify melting points, glass-transition temperatures, crystallisation and curing reactions.
Thermogravimetric Analysis, or TGA, measures changes in sample mass during controlled heating. It is used to study decomposition, moisture content, oxidation, filler content and thermal stability.
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, or DMA, measures the mechanical response of a material under oscillating force and changing temperature. It provides information on stiffness, damping and viscoelastic behaviour.
Thermomechanical Analysis, or TMA, measures dimensional changes in a material as it is heated or cooled under a controlled load. It is commonly used to determine thermal expansion and softening behaviour.
Sample mass, heating rate, atmosphere, preparation and instrument calibration can influence results. Material history, moisture and thermal cycling may also affect measured transitions.
Why Choose Infinita Lab for Advanced Materials Testing and Characterization?
At the core of this breadth is our network of 2,000+ accredited laboratories across the USA, offering access to over 10,000 testing methods and analytical services. From advanced materials characterization (SEM, TEM, RBS, XPS) to mechanical, chemical, environmental, biological, and standardized ASTM/ISO-compliant testing, we deliver unmatched flexibility, specialization, and scale. You are never limited by geography, facility, or methodology — Infinita Lab connects you to the right expertise and testing solution, every time.
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