8/12/2018 TGA Analysis or Thermogravimetric Analysis | Anderson Materials Evaluation, Inc.

Anderson Materials Evaluation, Inc.

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Email: contactus@andersonmaterials.com

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TGA Analysis or Thermogravimetric Analysis

TGA Analysis or Thermogravimetry

TGA analysis measures the amount of weight change of a material, either as a function of
increasing temperature, or isothermally as a function of time, in an atmosphere of nitrogen,
helium, air, other gas, or in vacuum.
Thermal gravimetric analysis can be interfaced with a mass spectrometer RGA to identify and
measure the vapors generated, though there is much greater sensitivity when the mass
spectroscopy heating is performed in an ultrahigh vacuum system
Inorganic materials, metals, polymers and plastics, ceramics, glasses, and composite materials
can be analyzed.
Temperature range from 25°C to 900°C routinely. The maximum temperature is 1000°C on our
instrument. We have access to an instrument with an upper temperature limit of 1500°C when
you need it.*
Sample weight can range from 1 mg to 150 mg. Sample weights of more than 10 mg are
preferred, but excellent results are sometimes obtainable on 1 mg of material.
Weight change sensitivity of 0.01 mg.
Samples can be analyzed in the form of powder or small pieces so the interior sample
temperature remains close to the measured gas temperature.

Applications of TGA Analysis or Thermogravimetry

Determines temperature and weight change of decomposition reactions, which often allows
quantitative composition analysis.
May be used to determine water content or the residual solvents in a material.
Allows analysis of reactions with air, oxygen, or other reactive gases (see illustration below).
Can be used to measure evaporation rates as a function of temperature, such as to measure the
volatile emissions of liquid mixtures.
Allows determination of Curie temperatures of magnetic transitions by measuring the
temperature at which the force exerted by a nearby magnet disappears on heating or reappears
on cooling.
Helps to identify plastics and organic materials by measuring the temperature of bond scissions
in inert atmospheres or of oxidation in air or oxygen.
Used to measure the weight of fiberglass and inorganic fill materials in plastics, laminates, paints,
primers, and composite materials by burning off the polymer resin. The fill material can then be
identified by XPS and/or microscopy. The fill material may be carbon black, TiO2, CaCO3, MgCO3,
Al2O3, Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2, talc, Kaolin clay, or silica, for instance.

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Can measure the fill materials added to some foods, such as silica gels, cellulose, calcium
carbonate, and titanium dioxide.
Can determine the purity of a mineral, inorganic compound, or organic material.
Distinguishes different mineral compositions from broad mineral types, such as borax, boric acid,
and silica gels.

ASTM Test Methods Using TGA Analysis or Thermogravimetric Analysis

ASTM D2584 – Standard Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced Resins
ASTM E1131 – Standard Test Method for Compositional Analysis by Thermogravimetry
ASTM E1641 – Standard Test Method for Decomposition Kinetics by Thermogravimetry Using the
Ozawa/Flynn/Wall Method
ASTM E2008 – Standard Test Method for Volatility Rate by Thermogravimetry

California Department of Pesticide Regulation TGA VOC Tests:

We have a web page dedicated to this TGA analysis test here.

Estimation of Volatile Emission Potential of Pesticides by Thermogravimetry

Inquiries specifically about TGA analyses should be directed to Kevin A. Wepasnick, Ph.D. by phone
or at e-mail address: thermalanalysis@andersonmaterials.com

Illustrative Example: Determination of weight % of composite material components by

TGA Analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis was used as one of several complementary techniques in the

identification of an unknown polymer composite, which microscopy revealed had fiberglass content.
XPS identified the composition of the fiberglass and revealed the presence of CaCO3 as residues of
a lower temperature TGA run than the high temperature run shown below. FTIR indicated a
polymer consisting of polyester and, probably, polystyrene. TGA was then performed on the
material to find the weight percent of each material. The sample was heated from room
temperature to 900°C at a rate of 5°C/min in air. The TGA curve (below) is labeled in terms of the
identity of the components. Here polyester (71% of the polymer), polystyrene (29% of the
polymer), fiberglass (22.9% of the whole) and CaCO3 (49.3% of the whole) were easily identified
by their different temperatures of combustion or evaporation. The combustion of the styrene
polymer component produced enough energy that the temperature momentarily increased more
than the programmed rate, which accounts for the unusual shape of the curve due to the cooling
that followed the reactive overheating. The remaining material after the TGA analysis was
completed was confirmed by XPS to consist only of CaCO3. The results obtained for the polymer
matrix match the common blend co-polymer of 70% polyester and 30% polystyrene by weight.

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*1500°C TGA

Sample capacity of 200 mg

Ideal sample weight from 10 to 50 mg
Balance sensitivity of 0.1 microgram
Temperature range from ambient to 1500°C

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Anderson Materials Evaluation, Inc.

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