---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Thermomechanical tests on polymers in the laboratory"
description: "You wish to carry out thermomechanical tests on your polymers What is Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)? Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) measures the dimensional variations of a material under controlled temperature and load. It allows precise determination of key parameters such as the..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/thermomechanical-tests-on-polymers-in-the-laboratory/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_627e2dd94d77e", "Thomas GAUTIER"]
timestamp: "2026-03-13T10:47:10Z"
published: "2022-06-15T14:07:55Z"
language: "en"
author: "bwa"
---

# Thermomechanical tests on polymers in the laboratory

## You wish to carry out thermomechanical tests on your polymers

### What is Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)?

**Thermomechanical analysis (TMA)** measures the dimensional variations of a material under controlled temperature and load. It allows precise determination of key parameters such as the thermal expansion coefficient, **glass transition temperature (Tg), and creep behavior**.

 

This technique is essential for understanding how polymers and other materials respond to thermal and mechanical stress.

ISO 75 describes a general test method for determining the deflection temperature under load of plastics.

### Which materials can be tested by thermomechanical analysis?

Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) can be performed on a wide range of materials, including:

- [Polymers and plastics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/plastics-processing-polymers.md)
- [Composites](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-composite-material/)
- [Metals](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-metals.md) and [alloys](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/metallic-alloy-analysis-laboratory.md)
- [Ceramics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-ceramic-testing/) and [glasses](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/laboratory-analysis-expertise-glass/)

This technique is widely used in industries such as [automotive](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-automobile.md), [aerospace](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-aeronautics-aerospace.md), [medical devices](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-medical-devices.md), etc.

By providing accurate material characterization data, TMA testing supports the optimization of material selection and performance under thermal constraints.

## FILAB laboratory supports you in carrying out your thermomechanical tests on polymers

With the support of a specialized partner laboratory, FILAB assists you in performing thermomechanical analysis of polymers in accordance with ISO 75 standards.

Our laboratory offers comprehensive TMA testing services to evaluate the dimensional stability, thermal expansion, and mechanical performance of your polymer materials.

### Our technical capabilities in thermomechanical analysis

The **thermomechanical analyzer (TMA)** is the primary equipment used for these tests. It measures the dimensional changes of a sample as a function of temperature under a controlled load, enabling precise evaluation of its thermal and mechanical behavior.

### ISO 75 standard for plastics

The ISO 75 standard defines a general test method for determining the deflection temperature under load (DTUL) of plastics. This standard is commonly used to**assess the thermal resistance and performance limits of polymer materials t**[hanks to VICAT/HDT testing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-analysis-thermal-thermogravimetric/vicat-hdt-testing/).

## FAQ

 What is physico-chemical analysis?
Physico-chemical analysis refers to the study of both the chemical composition and physical properties of a material. It helps identify how substances behave, interact, or change under various environmental and mechanical conditions.

 What is the difference between chemical analysis and physico-chemical characterization?
Chemical analysis focuses on identifying and quantifying elements and compounds, while physico-chemical characterization also explores physical parameters such as morphology, particle size, surface area, or density.

 Which industries use physico-chemical analysis?
Many sectors rely on this type of testing — including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, metallurgical, polymer — to ensure product compliance, safety, and performance.

 Are physico-chemical analyses destructive?
Some tests are destructive (like TGA or DSC), while others are non-destructive (like FTIR or SEM). The choice depends on the material type and your analysis objective.

 What kind of information can physico-chemical analysis provide
These tests reveal critical data about composition, purity, contamination, stability, crystallinity, and morphology, essential for product development and quality assurance.