Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Testing Lab
- General thermogravimetric analysis and carbon black content programs
- Method-appropriate sample mass, crucible selection, temperature range, and atmosphere control
- Inert, oxidative, or switched-atmosphere TGA programs
- Single-run screening or comparative multi-condition TGA programs
- Engineering test report (PDF) with digital data delivery
- Method-appropriate outputs such as thermograms, onset and peak decomposition temperatures, percent mass loss, and residual mass
- Raw data exports available on request, where applicable
- Exact deliverables depend on the selected method, temperature program, and atmosphere condition
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
It depends on the material type, selected method, and program design. Share what you have and we’ll confirm sample form, target sample mass, and any preparation needs.
TGA continuously tracks sample mass during controlled heating or cooling under a defined atmosphere. We can confirm the most appropriate temperature program and atmosphere for your material and objective.
We support ASTM E1131 and ISO 11358 TGA testing together with DatapointLabs carbon-black-content-by-TGA offerings where applicable.
Yes—where applicable, programs can be configured under nitrogen, air, oxygen, or switched atmospheres, and can support general thermal stability, composition, or carbon black content analysis.
You receive an engineering test report (PDF) and digital data deliverables. Raw data exports are available on request where applicable. Exact outputs depend on the selected TGA program.
Reported outputs depend on the method and program setup. Common outputs include onset decomposition temperature, peak decomposition temperature, percent mass loss, residual mass, volatile content, and filler or residue content where applicable.
Typical turnaround for most testing is five business days, but timing can vary based on sample readiness, temperature program, atmosphere changes, and test volume—share constraints and we’ll propose a viable plan.
Tell us what you need back—thermograms, decomposition temperatures, mass-loss intervals, residue content, raw data, reporting format, and any required method or atmosphere condition. We’ll align the program before testing begins.
The sections below provide the technical context, standards, specimen considerations, test procedures, and measurement details for this testing service.
Significance & Purpose
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a thermal analysis technique that measures the mass change of a material as a function of temperature, time, or atmosphere. TGA provides essential information about a material’s thermal stability, composition and decomposition behavior. The TGA technique can be critical for identification, selection and optimization of materials suitable for high-temperature or oxidative environments. This technique is widely used in material development, quality control, and failure analysis across industries such as polymers, composites, pharmaceuticals, and energy systems.
Standards
TGA testing is governed by various standards to ensure uniformity and reproducibility. Key standards include:
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ASTM E1131: Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry.
- Focuses on using TGA for analyzing the composition of a material by quantifying mass loss at various temperature ranges.
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ISO 11358 (Parts 1–3): Plastics — Thermogravimetry (TGA)
- Outlines general principles, procedures, and specific methods for materials such as polymers.
These standards provide guidance on procedures, calibration, and data interpretation for TGA experiments.
Tests
Tests in the DatapointLabs test catalog that reference thermogravimetric analysis testing are as follows:
General Thermogravimetric Analysis Testing
| Test | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| T-201 | Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) | ASTM E1131 |
| T-203 | Carbon Black Content by TGA | ASTM E1131 |
Principle of Operation
The thermogravimetric analysis technique measures the mass change of a sample while it is subjected to controlled heating or cooling under a specific atmosphere. The key principles include:
- Sample Heating: A small sample (typically 5–20 mg) is placed in a crucible within a thermogravimetric analyzer.
- Temperature Program: The sample is heated (or cooled) at a controlled rate (e.g., 10 °C/min) to a target temperature.
- Mass Monitoring: A precision microbalance continuously measures the sample's mass during the test.
- Controlled Atmosphere: The test can be conducted under various atmospheres (e.g., nitrogen, air, oxygen, or inert gases) to study specific thermal behaviors such as oxidative degradation.
The resulting mass loss or gain is recorded as a function of temperature or time, providing insights into thermal and chemical properties.
Typical Procedure
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Sample Preparation:
- A small, representative sample is weighed (typically 5–20 mg) and placed in a microbalance pan.
- The sample should be dry, homogeneous, and free of contaminants.
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Instrument Calibration:
- Calibrate the TGA instrument using standard reference materials to ensure accuracy in temperature, mass, and baseline stability.
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Test Setup:
- Place the sample pan in the TGA furnace and select the desired test conditions:
- Heating rate (e.g., 10 °C/min).
- Maximum temperature (e.g., 800–1000 °C).
- Atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen for inert conditions or air for oxidative conditions).
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Run the Test:
- Start the test, and the thermogravimetric analysis continuously measures mass changes as the temperature increases.
- If necessary, switch atmospheres during the test (e.g., from nitrogen to air) to simulate oxidative environments.
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Data Analysis:
- Analyze the mass vs. temperature (or time) curve to identify thermal events such as decomposition, evaporation, or oxidation.
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Repeat for Reproducibility:
- Conduct additional tests to confirm the reliability and repeatability of results.
Specimen Types
Specimens used by DatapointLabs in thermogravimetric analysis testing are as follows:
| Specimen Type | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| Pellets [Details] | T-201, T-203 |
Characterization Measurements
TGA provides a wealth of thermal and compositional data, including:
- Thermal Stability: Onset temperature of decomposition or mass loss.
- Decomposition Temperature: The temperature range over which significant mass loss occurs.
- Volatile Content: The percentage of material lost due to the evaporation of moisture, solvents, or other volatiles.
- Filler or Residual Content: The percentage of inorganic or non-volatile residue remaining after complete thermal degradation.
- Oxidation Behavior: Mass gain due to oxidation under air or oxygen atmospheres.
- Kinetic Data: Thermal degradation kinetics and activation energy.
Typical Data Reported
- Thermogram (Mass vs. Temperature/Time Curve): The primary output, showing the material’s mass changes over the temperature or time range.
- Onset Decomposition Temperature: The temperature where significant mass loss begins.
- Peak Decomposition Temperature: The temperature at which the highest rate of mass loss occurs.
- Percent Mass Loss: The proportion of the sample’s mass lost at specific temperature intervals, often used to quantify volatile content, polymer decomposition, or residue.
- Residual Mass (%): The remaining mass after heating to the maximum test temperature (e.g., ash or fillers).
Suitable Material Types
The TGA technique is versatile and can analyze a wide range of materials, including:
- Polymers and Plastics: For studying decomposition, additives, and fillers.
- Composites: For determining the thermal stability of matrix and reinforcement materials.
- Elastomers and Rubbers: For assessing thermal degradation and volatile content.
- Inorganic Materials: Such as ceramics, glasses, and metals, for analyzing oxidation or mass stability.
- Pharmaceuticals: For moisture content, thermal stability, and decomposition behavior.
- Food and Biomaterials: For water content, volatiles, and residue analysis.
Suitable Applications
The TGA technique is widely applied across various industries and research fields, including:
- Polymer and Plastic Industries: Assessing thermal stability, decomposition temperature, and filler content (including carbon) in thermoplastics and thermosets.
- Pharmaceuticals: Analyzing drug formulations for moisture content, solvent evaporation, and thermal degradation.
- Composites and Advanced Materials: Determining the thermal behavior of composite materials and their components.
- Energy Storage: Evaluating the thermal properties of batteries, fuel cells, and energy materials.
- Food and Agriculture: Analyzing moisture and volatile content in food products.
- Environmental Studies: Quantifying organic and inorganic content in soil, waste, and other samples.
- Quality Control: Verifying material consistency and performance in production environments.
Conclusion
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a versatile and reliable method for measuring thermal stability, composition, and decomposition behavior of a wide range of materials. By analyzing mass changes as a function of temperature and time, TGA provides critical insights for material characterization, quality control, and research & development. With applications spanning polymers, composites, pharmaceuticals, and beyond, the technique is an essential tool for industries requiring precise thermal property data. By following ASTM E1131 and ISO 11358 standards, this technique ensures high-quality, reproducible results for such thermal property measurements.
