Thermal Analysis Lab
For thermal property characterization and thermal analysis across deformation-temperature, conductivity and diffusivity, thermal stability, calorimetry, and dimensional-change methods supporting material selection, product development, processing, qualification, and engineering analysis.
Start with a short consult to align the property targets, temperature range, specimen form, atmosphere or conditioning, and deliverables to your objectives.
- Plastics & Polymers
- Composites
- Metals
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Foams & Films
- HDT
- VST
- LFD
- GHFM
- TLS
- TGA
- DSC
- TMA Test Methods
- Method-appropriate temperature ranges, thermal programs, and atmosphere control
- Method-appropriate specimen forms, dimensions, fixtures, contact or calibration requirements, and sample preparation
- Heating and cooling ramps, steady-state or transient thermal-property measurements, and single-point or scan-based analyses
- Comparative, application-specific, or multi-condition thermal programs
- Engineering test report (PDF) with digital data delivery
- Method-appropriate outputs such as HDT or VST temperatures, conductivity or diffusivity values, TGA mass-loss curves, DSC transition temperatures and enthalpies, and TMA expansion or CTE curves
- Raw data exports available on request, where applicable
- Exact deliverables depend on the selected method family, specimen configuration, and test conditions
Get Started
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Share your requirements
Tell us about the material, application, environment, and any method, standard, specimen, or conditioning constraints.
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Confirm the approach
We’ll align the appropriate method, specimen requirements, and deliverables to your objectives, then provide a quote and test plan.
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Submit your PO and materials
Send the purchase order and arrange delivery of materials or specimens so the program can move into scheduling and execution.
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Receive your results
You’ll receive an engineering test report with digital data delivery, along with any agreed raw data or method-appropriate outputs.
FAQs
How do I know which thermal test I need?
Describe the material, property of interest, operating temperature range, service environment, and outputs you need back. We’ll recommend the most appropriate thermal test family and method path.
Which materials can you support?
Thermal testing spans plastics and other polymers, composites, metals, ceramics, glass, foams, films, and other application-specific materials. Suitability depends on the test method, specimen form, and temperature range.
Can you support elevated temperatures, different atmospheres, or thermal cycling programs?
Yes—where applicable, programs can incorporate elevated temperatures, heating/cooling ramps, controlled atmospheres, and method-specific conditioning.
Where do I find the method-specific details and standards?
They are presented in the Test Methods section of this page under each thermal test method category. Click through on the test method of interest for the applicable methods and standards.
What’s included in the report?
You receive an engineering test report (PDF) and digital data deliverables. Exact outputs vary by the selected method and may include characteristic temperatures, conductivity or diffusivity values, heat-flow or mass-loss curves, transition data, or dimensional-change results.
What turnaround should I expect?
Typical turnaround is five business days for standard testing. Turnaround can vary based on the selected method, temperature program, atmosphere, run length, and test volume.
How do I make sure I get the outputs I need?
Tell us what you need back—property values, curves, temperature range, atmosphere, raw data, formats, and any required method or standard. We’ll confirm the appropriate test path and deliverables in the quote before testing begins.
Thermal Analysis Test Methods
Thermal testing of materials is essential for understanding how materials respond to changes in temperature, making it a critical part of material selection, product design, and quality assurance. These tests provide key insights into a material’s ability to withstand, conduct, or otherwise respond to thermal loads—properties that directly affect performance, durability, and reliability in heat-exposed applications.
From assessing deformation temperatures and softening behavior to evaluating thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and dimensional change, thermal testing enables engineers and scientists to characterize materials across a wide range of operating conditions. Standardized methods such as HDT, VST, LFD, GHFM, TLS, TGA, DSC, and TMA ensure accurate, reproducible data and support decision-making across industries including aerospace, automotive, electronics, construction, energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The sections below group this testing category into method families, with links to related testing services, key applications, standards context, specimen considerations, test conditions, and measurement details.
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | HDT, applied load, heating rate, method condition, deformation temperature. |
| Materials | Rigid/semi-rigid plastics, thermosets, filled and reinforced plastics. |
| Capability highlights | ASTM D648 / ISO 75 HDT programs, moderate- or higher-load conditions, conditioned and comparative programs. |
| Common applications | Specification support, qualification, product development, thermal-performance evaluation, elevated-temperature material selection. |
| Service page | Explore HDT testing |
Vicat Softening Temperature (VST)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | VST, applied load, heating rate, method condition, softening behavior. |
| Materials | Thermoplastics, rigid thermoplastics, semi-crystalline polymers, filled/reinforced plastics. |
| Capability highlights | Alternate load and heating-rate conditions, flat-specimen testing, comparative VST programs. |
| Common applications | Material qualification, product development, thermal-performance evaluation, thermoplastic comparison. |
| Service page | Explore VST testing |
Laser Flash Diffusivity (LFD)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | Thermal diffusivity, temperature response, temperature-dependent diffusivity, conductivity calculations where supported. |
| Materials | Metals, alloys, ceramics, composites, polymers, plastics. |
| Capability highlights | Single-point and scan-based LFD, disc specimen preparation, coating, calibration, temperature-program setup. |
| Common applications | Thermal modeling, qualification, thermal management, material and product development. |
| Service page | Explore LFD testing |
Guarded Heat Flow (GHFM)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | Thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, temperature gradient, heat flux, heat-transfer coefficient. |
| Materials | Polymers, plastics, composites, insulation, foams, thermal barriers, metals, alloys, ceramics. |
| Capability highlights | Thermal conductivity, resistance, heat-transfer-coefficient, single-point and scan-based programs. |
| Common applications | Material selection, insulation evaluation, thermal management, comparative testing, engineering analysis. |
| Service page | Explore GHFM testing |
Transient Line-Source (TLS)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | Thermal conductivity, temperature-time response, temperature-dependent results, thermal-load data. |
| Materials | Thermoplastics, polymers, thermosets, composites, elastomers, powders, foams, insulating materials. |
| Capability highlights | Melt, solid-state, single-temperature, multi-temperature, and scan-based TLS programs. |
| Common applications | Injection molding simulation, thermal management, material development, automotive, construction, energy systems. |
| Service page | Explore TLS testing |
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | Thermograms, decomposition temperatures, percent mass loss, residual mass, thermal stability. |
| Materials | Polymers, plastics, composites, elastomers/rubbers, ceramics, glasses, metals. |
| Capability highlights | General, carbon black, inert, oxidative, switched-atmosphere, and comparative multi-condition TGA programs. |
| Common applications | Stability assessment, composition, formulation, identification, quality control, high-temperature/oxidative evaluation. |
| Service page | Explore TGA testing |
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
| Relevant standards |
|
|---|---|
| Key property data | Tg, melting, crystallization, heats of fusion/crystallization, specific heat, heat-flow curves. |
| Materials | Polymers, plastics, thermosets, composites, ceramics, glasses. |
| Capability highlights | Transition, melting/crystallization, specific heat, heating/cooling, multi-cycle, and comparative DSC programs. |
| Common applications | Material qualification, product development, transition analysis, comparative studies, simulation support, process characterization. |
| Service page | Explore DSC testing |
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
| Relevant standards |
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|---|---|
| Key property data | CTE/CLTE, dimensional-change curves, expansion onset, thermal stability, anisotropic expansion. |
| Materials | Polymers, plastics, composites, ceramics, glasses, metals, alloys, elastomers. |
| Capability highlights | General and anisotropic expansion, controlled heating/cooling, multi-direction, and comparative TMA programs. |
| Common applications | Thermal-stress prediction, dimensional stability, qualification, product development, simulation, manufacturing support. |
| Service page | Explore TMA testing |
