Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

TGA and derivative TGA curves of sodium tungstate sample analyzed at 10 °C/min from ambient temperature to 800 °C.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterizes sample volatility, moisture content, thermal stability, and thermal response in polymers.

Strengths

Exquisitely precise weight sensitivity – can detect sample mass changes < 0.1 ug
Only a few milligrams of material is needed due to high instrument sensitivity
Minimal sample prep

Limitations

Not available for measurements with temperatures below ~ 25 °C

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Example Outputs Instruments Used How TGA Works

Sample Requirements

Solids, powders, and semisolids accepted
Minimum Sample Mass: ~ 0.5 g
Sample material must have no chemical incompatibility with pan material; pan options:
1. Platinum (Standard and High Temperature options available)
2. Ceramic
3. Alternative pan types can be procured if needed
Powders preferred; non-powders must be able to be trimmed to fit TGA pan
Safety datasheets of sample materials are required

TGA Example Outputs

TGA and derivative TGA curves of sodium tungstate sample analyzed at 10 °C/min from ambient temperature to 800 °C.

TGA Curves used in failure analysis of polyamide nylon (PA) enclosures on terminal block plug, which thermally degraded and caused critical instrument failure. Plot shows two different volatilization temperatures (peaks): suspected to be the casing itself and unknown filler.

TGA Instruments Used

TA Instruments TGA 5500

Mass Sensitivity: 0.1 ug
Temperature Range: ambient to 1200 °C
Calorimetric Accuracy: ± 2% (based on metal standards)
Controlled Heating Rate (up to 1000 °C): 0.1 to 500 °C / min
Nitrogen Atmosphere

When a sample reaches high enough temperatures, it undergoes chemical and physical transitions that affect its sediment mass.

A TGA system measures the minute changes in sample weight in a controlled thermal environment – usually, as heat is applied to the system. Alternatively, constant temperature experiments can be conducted to evaluate a material’s thermal stability over a set time period.

TGA instruments plot weight as a function of temperature and/or time, and analyzing these plots reveals several thermal properties of the material, including (but not limited to): thermal stability, heat resistance, volatility, and vaporization temperatures.

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