Thermal Analysis Lab
- 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
Tell us about the material, application, environment, and any method, standard, specimen, or conditioning constraints.
We’ll align the appropriate method, specimen requirements, and deliverables to your objectives, then provide a quote and test plan.
Send the purchase order and arrange delivery of materials or specimens so the program can move into scheduling and execution.
You’ll receive an engineering test report with digital data delivery, along with any agreed raw data or method-appropriate outputs.
FAQs
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.
This page functions as a commercial entry point for thermal testing. It helps visitors start the discussion, while the Test Methods section below presents individual thermal test method categories.
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.
Yes—where applicable, programs can incorporate elevated temperatures, heating/cooling ramps, controlled atmospheres, and method-specific conditioning.
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.
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.
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.
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 | ASTM D648 ISO 75 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all HDT testing services |
Vicat Softening Temperature (VST)
| Relevant standards | ASTM D1525 ISO 306 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all VST testing services |
Laser Flash Diffusivity (LFD)
| Relevant standards | ASTM E1461 ISO 22007-4 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all LFD testing services |
Guarded Heat Flow (GHFM)
| Relevant standards | ASTM E1530 ASTM C518 ISO 8301 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all GHFM testing services |
Transient Line-Source (TLS)
| Relevant standards | ASTM D5930 ISO 22007-1 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all TLS testing services |
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
| Relevant standards | ASTM E1131 ISO 11358 Parts 1–3 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all TGA testing services |
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
| Relevant standards | ASTM D3418 ASTM E1269 ISO 11357 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all DSC testing services |
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
| Relevant standards | ASTM E831 ISO 11359-2 |
|---|---|
| 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 | View all TMA testing services |
