Thermal Analysis
Thermal Analysis comprises a group of techniques in which a physical property of a substance is measured as a function of temperature, whilst the substance is subjected to a controlled temperature programme. Arguably the most versatile of analytical methods we are able to investigate many kinds of materials – inorganic, organic, plastic, metallic, ceramic and glass. One advantage of these techniques is the small sample size required (typically a few milligrams).
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) relies on differences in energy required to maintain the sample and reference at an identical temperature. Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) monitors changes in the mass of the sample on heating at a controlled rate.
Our Thermal Analysis Facility is used to characterise materials such as explosives and propellants, polymers and bones.
The facility is well equipped and includes:
- Mettler Toledo DSC 822e measuring cell with liquid nitrogen low temperature facility
- Mettler Toledo DSC 1 with liquid nitrogen low temperature facility
- Mettler Toledo TA4000 thermal analysis system comprising DSC30 measuring cell and TG50 thermobalance,
The DSC30 has a temperature range of -1700C to 6000C, heating rates 0 – 1000C/min, cooling rates up to 200C/min. The cell can be purged with a non-corrosive, non-flammable gas to give an inert atmosphere.
The TG50 has a temperature range of 00C to 10000C, heating rates of 00C – 1000C/min, weight range of 0-150mg. The cell can be purged to give an inert atmosphere.
All evaluations on these instruments are performed using Mettler Toledo’s STARe Software.
Return to Analytical Facilities
Return to the Centre for Defence Chemistry
Dr Susan C Waring
T: +44 (0)1793 785238
E: s.c.waring@cranfield.ac.uk
