Thermal analysis comprises a family of measuring techniques that share a common feature. They measure a material’ s response to being heated or cooled (or, in some cases, held isothermally). The purpose is to establish a connection between temperature and the specific physical properties of a material. Thermal analysis and testing enable the rapid measurement of physical properties, transitions, aging processes, the effects of additives, and the impact of various production conditions on polymer materials, which are important throughout the supply chain and life cycle of polymer materials. With many years of experience, Alfa Chemistry can provide professional thermal analysis and testing services to customers around the world.
Alfa Chemistry has a team of experienced experts in thermal analysis. We have the ability to test the thermal properties of a range of polymer materials, including but not limited to the following.
√ Thermoplastics
√ Elastomers
√ Thermosets
√ Composites
√ Fiber
√ Resins
√ Rubber
Our thermal analysis and testing services can determine the following parameters.
● Thermal stability: Thermal stability refers to the degree of stability of a substance at high temperatures.
● Glass transition temperature: The glass transition temperature of a polymer is the critical temperature at which the transition between glassy and rubbery state occurs.
● Melting point: The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid.
● Crystallization temperature: The crystallization temperature is the temperature where the molecules are mobile enough to rearrange into ordered arrangements.
● Coefficient of thermal expansion: Coefficient of thermal expansion is a measure of the expansion or contraction of a material as a result of changes in temperature.
● Thermal decomposition temperature: The thermal decomposition temperature refers to the temperature at which the polymer molecular chains and molecular structure decompose when subjected to heat.
Our technologists use different thermal analysis techniques for the characterization of polymer materials. Some common types of thermal analysis techniques and their wide range of applications are discussed below.
● Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
DSC is a versatile method that is used to determine alterations in structural properties of polymer materials as a function of time and temperature. Glass transition temperature and other effects that indicate heat capacity or latent heat changes in polymer materials can be studied using DSC.
Differential Scanning Calorimeter
● Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
Thermogravimetric Analyzer
TGA is a method of thermal analysis that measures weight changes in a material as a function of temperature (with constant heating rate), or as a function of time (with constant temperature) in a controlled atmosphere. The main uses of TGA include measuring the thermal stability of the material and its composition.
● Thermomechanical analysis (TMA)
TMA measures the dimensional change of a polymer sample over a predefined temperature segment. TMA can also be used to study the linear thermal expansion coefficient, material anisotropy, softening temperature, and glass transition temperature.
Thermomechanical analyzer
● Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer
DMA is a basic tool for the characterization of viscoelastic materials, particularly polymers. Depending on the characteristics of the tested material, DMA can be used to measure stiffness and damping. In addition, DMA can also provide information on the thermal transitions of polymer-based systems.
