TG-DTA

Q: What’s the difference between TG-DTA and TGA alone?

TGA measures mass change only. TG-DTA adds thermal event information (endo/exo behavior), which helps interpret whether changes involve melting, phase transitions, oxidation reactions, etc.

Q: Should I test in nitrogen or in air?

Nitrogen/argon: shows decomposition/pyrolysis behavior without oxidation. Air/oxygen: highlights oxidation stability and burn-off steps. Many projects use both for a fuller picture.

Q: Can TG-DTA identify what the evolved gas is?

TG-DTA indicates when mass loss occurs but does not directly identify the gas species. For gas identification, consider coupling with FTIR (TG-FTIR) or MS (TG-MS) , or run complementary GC-MS methods depending on the target.

What is TG-DTA?

TG-DTA combines Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA/TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) in a single measurement to evaluate how a material changes with temperature.

TG (Thermogravimetry): measures mass change vs. temperature/time (e.g., moisture loss, decomposition, oxidation, residue/ash content).
DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis): measures endothermic/exothermic events (e.g., melting, crystallization, phase transitions, oxidation reactions) by comparing the sample’s thermal behavior to an inert reference.

TG-DTA is widely used for polymers, composites, inorganic powders, battery materials, catalysts, ceramics, and formulation products to understand thermal stability, composition, and reaction/transition behavior.

What TG-DTA Can Help You Solve

Thermal stability evaluation (decomposition onset, stability window)
Composition insights (moisture/solvent content, filler/ash/residue fraction)
Oxidation and thermal reaction behavior (exotherms, oxidation onset in air/oxygen)
Process troubleshooting (unexpected weight loss steps, residual volatiles, contamination)
Material comparison (lot-to-lot, supplier-to-supplier, before/after aging)
Quality control using characteristic weight-loss stages and thermal event signatures

Typical Applications

Polymers & composites: thermal degradation stages, filler/ash content, oxidative stability
Inorganics & ceramics: dehydration, decomposition (e.g., carbonates), phase-related thermal events
Battery & energy materials: binder burn-off behavior, thermal stability screening (project-dependent)
Catalysts & powders: adsorbed species loss, oxidation/reduction-related events (project-dependent)
Coatings/adhesives/resins: volatile content, cure-related behavior and stability comparison (project-dependent)

Test Capabilities & What You Receive

Common Test Outputs

TG curve: mass (%) vs. temperature/time
DTG (optional): derivative mass loss rate vs. temperature (helps identify steps)
DTA curve: endothermic/exothermic events vs. temperature
Key parameters such as:
- Onset temperature of weight loss / decomposition
- Step-wise weight loss (%) by temperature ranges
- Residual mass / ash content (%)
- Oxidation onset (in oxidative atmospheres)
- Temperatures of major endo/exo events (melting/phase changes/reactions)

Atmospheres & Programs (project-dependent)

Inert atmosphere (e.g., N₂/Ar) for pyrolysis/decomposition behavior
Oxidative atmosphere (air/O₂) for oxidation stability and burn-off behavior
Custom temperature programs (ramps, isothermal holds, multi-step profiles)

Deliverables

Plots (TG/DTA and optional DTG)
Results table with key temperatures and weight-loss/residue values
Clear interpretation and comparison conclusions (if multiple samples)

Sample Requirements

Sample types: powders, small solid pieces, films, fibers, cured resins, inorganic materials
Typical amount: usually 5–30 mg (depends on material and method)
Condition: dry, homogeneous when possible; avoid contamination (fingerprints, oils)
Safety & compatibility: provide SDS for unknown/hazardous materials; confirm no explosive/unstable materials
Information to provide: expected composition (if known), target temperature range, desired atmosphere (inert vs air), and the question you want answered (stability, residue, oxidation, etc.)

Workflow

Requirement review (goal, temperature range, atmosphere, acceptance criteria)
Method setup (pan/crucible choice, gas selection, heating program)
Measurement (TG + DTA acquisition with controlled conditions)
Data processing (onset determination, step segmentation, residue calculation, event assignment)
Reporting (plots + key values + interpretation and next-step recommendations)

FAQs

What’s the difference between TG-DTA and TGA alone?

TGA measures mass change only. TG-DTA adds thermal event information (endo/exo behavior), which helps interpret whether changes involve melting, phase transitions, oxidation reactions, etc.

Can TG-DTA tell me filler or ash content?

Often yes. Under appropriate conditions (commonly oxidative burn-off), TG can estimate residue/ash fraction, which may correlate with inorganic filler content. Interpretation depends on material composition.

Should I test in nitrogen or in air?

Nitrogen/argon: shows decomposition/pyrolysis behavior without oxidation.
Air/oxygen: highlights oxidation stability and burn-off steps.
Many projects use both for a fuller picture.

Can TG-DTA identify what the evolved gas is?

TG-DTA indicates when mass loss occurs but does not directly identify the gas species. For gas identification, consider coupling with FTIR (TG-FTIR) or MS (TG-MS), or run complementary GC-MS methods depending on the target.

How do heating rate and sample amount affect results?

Faster heating or larger sample mass can shift apparent onset temperatures and peak shapes due to heat/mass transfer effects. We document conditions and can standardize methods for reliable comparisons.

Have additional questions?