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TMA

What is TMA?

TMA (Thermomechanical Analysis) measures how a material’s dimensions change (expansion, contraction, softening, or deformation) as a function of temperature and time under a controlled load. TMA is commonly used to determine CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion), softening behavior, and thermomechanical transitions that impact dimensional stability and reliability.

TMA is widely applied to polymers, films, composites, ceramics, glasses, electronic packaging materials, and laminates, especially where thermal cycling or high-temperature exposure may cause warpage, stress, or failure.

What TMA Can Help You Solve

  • CTE measurement for dimensional stability and thermal mismatch evaluation

  • Softening / glass transition-related expansion changes in polymers and composites

  • Warpage and thermal stress risk assessment for assemblies and multilayer stacks

  • Material selection & design validation for thermal cycling environments

  • Batch-to-batch comparison of thermomechanical behavior

  • Failure analysis support (cracking/delamination driven by CTE mismatch)

Typical Applications

  • Electronics & semiconductor packaging: underfill, mold compounds, substrates, laminates, encapsulants

  • Polymers & plastics: CTE, softening region, dimensional stability vs temperature

  • Films & tapes: thermal shrinkage/expansion behavior and process window

  • Composites: anisotropic expansion and thermal stability (project-dependent)

  • Ceramics & glass: CTE and thermal stability checks

  • Adhesives & coatings: thermomechanical response after cure and aging (project-dependent)

Test Capabilities & What You Receive

Common Measurements

  • CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) over specified temperature ranges

  • Dimensional change vs temperature/time (expansion/contraction curves)

  • Softening / penetration behavior (load-dependent, project-dependent)

  • Shrinkage/relaxation behavior under controlled force (material dependent)

  • Optional: multi-cycle testing to evaluate stability and hysteresis (project-dependent)

Deliverables

  • Dimension change curve (ΔL/L or displacement) vs temperature/time

  • Calculated CTE values for defined temperature windows

  • Test conditions summary (load, probe type, heating rate, sample geometry, atmosphere if applicable)

  • Comparison conclusions and pass/fail vs your spec (if provided)

Sample Requirements

  • Sample types: solid coupons, films, small molded pieces, laminates (depending on mode)

  • Typical size: small pieces suitable for the TMA stage; flat, uniform thickness preferred

  • Quantity: enough for repeats and directional testing if needed

  • Information to provide: target property (CTE, softening, shrinkage), temperature range, orientation (MD/TD), and any relevant processing history (cure, anneal, aging)

Packaging tips: protect films from creasing; label orientation clearly for anisotropic materials.

Workflow

  • Requirement review (property, temperature range, acceptance criteria, directionality)

  • Method selection (probe mode/load, heating program, sample mounting)

  • Sample conditioning (if required: drying, pre-anneal, controlled humidity)

  • TMA measurement (temperature program execution)

  • Data analysis (CTE calculation, transition/softening interpretation, comparison)

  • Reporting (curves + key values + conclusions)

FAQs

TMA measures dimensional change and CTE under load. DMA measures viscoelastic properties (storage/loss modulus, tan δ) under oscillatory deformation. They are complementary.

TMA can often indicate Tg-related behavior through changes in expansion slope or softening, especially for polymers. For more definitive Tg and viscoelastic characterization, DSC or DMA may be recommended.

Yes. For films, laminates, and composites, direction matters. Please label MD/TD and provide enough material for testing in each direction.

Higher load can emphasize softening or penetration behavior. We select load and probe mode based on your goal and document conditions for consistency.

The range depends on instrument configuration and sample stability. Share your target range and material type, and we’ll recommend appropriate conditions.

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