Laboratory thermal analysis

Thermal analysis is a scientific technique used to evaluate the thermal properties of various materials. This laboratory method is used to analyze the physical and/or chemical changes that occur during temperature variation. Materials commonly subjected to thermal analysis include polymers, composites, metals, alloys, and ceramics. This technique is very useful for determining material properties such as thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a technique that measures the change in mass of a sample as a function of temperature or time. It detects phenomena such as decomposition, dehydration and oxidation by heating the sample under a controlled atmosphere. TGA is used to study the chemical composition, thermal stability and decomposition temperatures of materials, making it essential in research and development as well as in quality control across many industrial sectors, such as polymers and ceramics.

Thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis are two very common material characterization techniques. Although both techniques focus on measuring the thermal properties of materials, they differ in their approach. 

Thermal analysis is a technique that measures thermal properties in response to temperature variations, whereas thermogravimetric analysis measures the change in mass of the same material in response to temperature changes.

In other words, while thermal analysis focuses on the physicochemical changes induced by temperature changes, thermogravimetric analysis examines the changes in mass resulting from these changes. These techniques provide an in-depth understanding of the thermal properties of materials and are used in many fields, from industry to research.

A correct interpretation of the results of a thermal analysis depends on a thorough understanding of the underlying physical principles. 

The results of a thermal analysis are often presented in the form of curves showing the evolution of temperature over time or the amount of energy absorbed or released by the sample. 

In general, changes in temperature and energy indicate phase transitions or molecular rearrangements in the sample. Understanding these results is essential for optimizing material properties.

During a thermal analysis, several thermal properties of materials are studied to understand their behavior under various temperature conditions. Here are the main properties analyzed:

> Heat capacity (Cp): This is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass of the material by one degree Celsius, helping to understand how a material absorbs and stores thermal energy.

> Thermal transition: This includes the detection of transition points such as melting points, crystallization points, and glass transitions, indicating at which temperatures a material changes phase or structure.

> Thermal stability: This property describes a material’s ability to retain its physical and chemical characteristics at high temperatures. Thermal decomposition or degradation can be analyzed to determine at what temperature a material begins to break down.

> Thermal conductivity: This is a measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat. This property is essential for applications where heat management is critical, such as in insulating materials or electronic components.

> Coefficient of thermal expansion: It quantifies the expansion or contraction of a material in response to temperature changes, for applications requiring high dimensional precision.

> Decomposition temperature: The temperature at which a material begins to chemically decompose, especially under high-temperature conditions.

> Thermal expansion: This measures dimensional changes in response to temperature. For materials used in construction or in the manufacture of components that undergo temperature fluctuations, this property is vital to ensure structural integrity and material compatibility.

Analyzing these properties helps industries choose, design, and manufacture materials suited to specific applications, ensuring performance, safety, and durability.

It makes it possible to identify phenomena such as thermal degradation, unexpected phase transitions, or cracking due to temperature variations, thereby avoiding performance or safety issues.

It is used in aerospace, automotive, chemicals, plastics processing, pharmaceuticals, and energy, for applications ranging from material characterization to validation of manufacturing processes.

Thermal analysis measures key parameters such as degradation temperature, thermal stability, transition enthalpy, thermal expansion coefficients, and mass loss.

The results include thermal behavior curves (TGA, DSC) or precise data on expansion, critical temperatures, mass loss, and material-specific thermal transitions.

A specialized laboratory offers state-of-the-art equipment, qualified experts, and guarantees analysis that comply with industry standards (ISO, COFRAC), which are essential for meeting the requirements of complex industrial projects.