Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
What is Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)?
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a thermal analysis technique that measures changes in a materialโs mass as it is heated under a controlled atmosphere. By tracking weight loss or gain as a function of temperature or time, TGA provides direct insight into material composition and thermal stability.
At Materials Metric, TGA is used to determine decomposition temperatures, multi-stage degradation behavior, moisture and volatile content, filler or ash content, and oxidation or reduction behavior. These measurements are critical for evaluating the quality, composition, and performance of polymers, composites, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and engineered materials.
Use of TGA
TGA is used to:
โข Identify degradation temperatures and thermal stability
โข Quantify volatiles, moisture, and residual monomers
โข Determine filler and ash content in composites
โข Study oxidation, pyrolysis, and multi-step decomposition
โข Compare material behavior before/after sterilization or aging
โข Validate polymer composition and purity
Applications of TGA
โข Polymers & Composites: filler %, thermal decomposition
โข Biomaterials: multi-step breakdown, water content
โข Coatings & Adhesives: solvent loss, curing verification
โข Metals/Ceramics: oxidation behavior
โข APIs & Pharmaceuticals: degradation pathways
Sample Analysis Process
1. Submission & Objective Review
โข Identify sample type and required temperature range
โข Choose inert (Nโ) or oxidative (air/Oโ) atmosphere
2. Sample Preparation
โข Samples are tested as solids, no dissolution is used
โข Powders, flakes, films, pellets, fibers placed directly into TGA pans
โข Sample size typically 5โ20 mg
โข Moisture-sensitive samples may be pre-dried or sealed
โข No solvents, digestion, or liquid handling
3. TGA Testing
โข Controlled heating under selected atmosphere
โข Continuous mass recording
โข Optional derivative TGA (DTG)
4. Data Processing & Reporting
โข Mass-loss percentages
โข Multi-step decomposition profile
โข Residual ash/filler content
โข Fully annotated thermograms
Why Choose Materials Metric for Your TGA Analysis
Materials Metric provides high-resolution thermal decomposition data with expert chemical interpretation.
Our TGA capabilities include:
- Accurate filler, ash, moisture, and volatile quantification
- Inert and oxidative atmosphere testing
- Detailed mapping of multi-step degradation events
- Interpretation aligned with polymer chemistry and composite formulation
- Reporting tailored to R&D, quality control, material validation, and regulatory submissions
Your TGA data becomes a clear, reliable understanding of your materialโs thermal behavior and composition.
