Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a thermal analysis technique used to measure changes in the weight (mass) of a sample as a function of temperature or time. TGA is commonly used to determine polymer cleavage temperatures, residue solvent levels, absorbed moisture content, and the amount of inorganic (non-flammable) filler in polymer or composite material compositions.
A simplified explanation of a TGA sample assessment can be described as follows. A sample is placed in a folded TGA sample cup attached to a precision microbalance assembly. The sample holder of the TGA balance assembly is then placed in a high temperature oven.
The balance device measures the first sample weight at room temperature and then continuously monitors changes in the sample weight (losses or gains) as heat is applied to the sample. TGA tests can be carried out in some controlled mode, heating mode or isothermal.
Typical weight loss profiles are analyzed for the amount or percentage of weight loss at any temperature, the amount or percentage of unburned residue at some final temperatures, and the temperatures of the various sample decay processes.
TGA is a useful technique to evaluate the effectiveness of oven drying solution polymerized polymer samples. Evaporation of the residue solvent is typically associated with the initial weight loss process in a TGA heating run.
In some cases, the absorbed moisture can be released in this same temperature range. After the initial solvent (or moisture) weight loss process, TGA profiles will typically spread to some constant weight level until the polymer decomposition temperature range is reached. Now the weight fraction of the solvent (or moisture) and the initial and maximum speed weight loss decay temperatures are easily determined by the TGA.
The glass fiber content of composite samples is also easily analyzed with TGA. The polymer resin degrades and burns when heating such composite samples to high temperatures in an atmosphere of air. Fireproof glass fiber is left behind as a residue. The weight ratio of glass fiber in the composite is determined using the TGA residue analysis routine.
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