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What is the Di erence Between Thermogravimetric

Analysis (TGA) and Di erential Scanning Calorimetry
(DSC)
Blog / 12 April 2021

  

Chorthip Peeraphatdit – Particle Characterization Chemist IV / Team Leader

Spring is upon us, and with it comes uctuating weather conditions! You’re enjoying some warmer days, but also a little
worried how the extreme changes in temperature may a ect your products. Thermal analysis can help you better
understand how your materials fare with the changes in temperature. But with so many options in the market, how do you
choose?

Today we’ll take a quick look at two most commonly used techniques for thermal analysis: Thermogravimetric Analysis
(TGA) and Di erential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

What can TGA tell us?

Thermogravimetric Analysis can track the changes in the mass of your sample as the temperature is changed in a
controlled manner. Analysis typically consists of monitoring the mass of your sample while heating at a constant rate, or
held at a constant temperature over time.

With the Netzsch TG 209 F3 Tarsus, we can probe changes in the sample mass from room temperature up to 1,000°C.
Within this range, several changes can occur that would result in a mass loss. For example, loss of solvent or moisture
through evaporation and/or boiling, and thermal decomposition (also called pyrolysis when completed in an inert
environment). As such, TGA is often used for compositional analysis, e.g. moisture content, organic content, ller content,
ash content, etc. It is particularly useful in this regard for samples with characteristic decomposition steps, such as calcium
carbonate. However, mass gains may also be observed, especially under an oxidizing environment.

What can the DSC tell us?

Di erential Scanning Calorimetry can track the changes in the heat ow to and from a sample as the temperature is
changed in a controlled manner. The sample may be subjected to some heating and cooling cycle(s) in an inert or oxidizing
environment. Each of these cycles may provide di erent information. For example, the initial heating cycle can provide Privacy - Terms
insights into the sample’s thermal history (behavior dictated by how the samples have been produced and stored), which
might be critical for failure analysis of plastic or rubber parts. Once the thermal history has been eliminated, the true
properties of the components can be revealed in the second heating cycle.

With our recent upgrade to the Netzsch DSC 214 Nevio, we can probe changes in the sample from -170°C to 600°C. Within
this range, several changes can occur that would result in a change in energy. For example, solid-liquid phase transition
(melting or fusion; conversely, freezing or crystallization), solid-solid transition (cold crystallization from amorphous to
crystalline phases, or changes between di erent polymorphs), glass transition (changes in amorphous materials between
brittle, glassy state and exible rubbery state).

While the hardware upgrade for DSC is expected to deliver higher performance and reproducibility, the updated Proteus
software also provides many new features at Particle Technology Labs. These features include possible compositional
identi cation by comparison of the thermal curves against a vast library of known materials, or a smaller custom-built
library of reference materials as needed. Additionally, the software is fully compliant with requirements of 21 CFR Part 11,
which is important for pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic products.

When do I need TGA vs. DSC?

The answer may be both! Very broadly speaking, if your sample might generate a lot of gas in the temperature range of
interest (e.g. thermal decomposition), then TGA would likely be more suitable. If you are more interested in the
temperature and energy related to an endothermic or exothermic transition, then DSC would be more appropriate. If the
thermal properties of your samples are not well known, both analyses might provide useful information.

Both techniques can be applied to wide ranging types of materials from pharmaceuticals ingredients and nished
products, plastics, metals, ceramics, petrochemical, and advanced materials.

Some di erences and similarities between the two techniques are highlighted in the table below.

TGA DSC
 

Changes in the heat ow to

Changes in the sample mass
Primary and from the sample as a
as a function of temperature
Determination function of temperature or
or time
time

Room temperature to
Temperature Range -170°C to 600°C
1,000°C

Heating Rate 0.001°C/min to 200°C/min 0.001°C/min to 500°C/min

Cooling Rate N/A (not controlled) 0.001°C/min to 500°C/min

Resolution 0.1 µg 0.25 μW

Analysis Inert (nitrogen ow), Inert (nitrogen ow),

Environment or oxidizing (air ow) or oxidizing (air ow)

Sample Amount Approximately 5-50 mg Approximately 5-50 mg

· Transition temperature (e.g.

· % by mass lost or gained
onset, peak)
Typical Output
· residual mass
· Transition enthalpy

· Phase transitions, e.g.

melting (fusion),
crystallization

· Moisture content · Glass transition

· Decomposition · Solid-solid transitions, e.g.

Example of polymorphism, cold

· Thermal stability
Applications
· Compositional analysis
· Oxidation
crystallization
· Concentration analysis (with
known standards)
· Speci c heat

· Oxidative induction time

and temperature (OIT)

Why Choose Particle Technology Labs?

Particle Technology Labs is a fully independent, cGMP compliant and ISO accredited laboratory. Our lab has nearly 30 years
of experience in the particle characterization eld. Developing an appropriate analytical procedure for thermal analysis is
paramount in obtaining the appropriate information for your needs. Additionally, understanding what processes
correspond to each change in sample mass typically requires some knowledge of general chemistry and sample
properties. The experts at Particle Technology Labs can guide you through the entire process from selecting the best
options for your needs, conducting the analysis under suitable conditions, ensuring compliance when needed, and
assisting with data interpretation.

Learn more about Thermogravimetric Analysis and Di erential Scanning Calorimetry.

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