Precisely measure weight changes as your material is heated. Determine composition, thermal stability, decomposition temperatures, and filler content with confidence.
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) measures the weight of a sample as it is heated, cooled, or held at constant temperature in a controlled atmosphere. As materials decompose, oxidize, or lose volatile components, the weight changes are precisely recorded, revealing critical information about composition and thermal stability.
TGA is invaluable for quantifying filler content, identifying decomposition temperatures, assessing thermal stability, and detecting moisture or volatile additives. By running TGA in different atmospheres (air, nitrogen, or other gases), we can distinguish between oxidative and pyrolytic decomposition, providing deeper insights into material behavior.
Accurately quantify inorganic fillers, fibers, carbon black, and other non-combustible components in your formulation.
Determine onset of decomposition and maximum safe processing temperatures to prevent material degradation.
Measure moisture content, residual solvents, and volatile additives that can affect processing and performance.
Generate thermal fingerprints to identify unknown materials or verify composition against specifications.
Our team can also perform specialized TGA experiments including isothermal TGA for long-term stability predictions, high-resolution TGA for separating overlapping decomposition events, and evolved gas analysis when coupled with FTIR or MS.
Ensure incoming materials meet filler content specifications. Verify that glass fiber reinforced plastics contain the correct percentage of glass. Detect batch-to-batch variations in composition that could affect mechanical properties or processing behavior.
Optimize filler loading to balance cost, processability, and mechanical properties. Understand how different additives affect thermal stability. Develop formulations that can withstand your target processing temperatures without degradation.
Reverse-engineer competitor formulations by measuring filler content and identifying polymer decomposition patterns. Understand how competing products are formulated to inform your own development strategy.
When materials degrade during processing, TGA reveals if the problem is thermal instability, excessive moisture, or volatile contamination. Compare good and bad batches to identify the root cause of discoloration, brittleness, or other defects.
Demonstrate compliance with regulations requiring specific filler content or composition limits. Assess fire retardant content and thermal stability for safety-critical applications.
Analyze recycled plastics to determine contamination levels, filler content, and degradation state. Ensure recycled materials meet quality standards for your application.
We've analyzed thousands of formulations and can accurately interpret complex TGA curves with multiple decomposition steps.
Testing in air, nitrogen, or other gases to distinguish oxidative vs. pyrolytic decomposition and reveal more about your material.
We combine TGA with DSC, FTIR, and other methods to provide complete compositional and thermal characterization.
We don't just give you data—we explain what it means and recommend solutions to your specific problems.
Get precise TGA analysis with expert interpretation. Contact our lab to discuss your testing needs.
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