Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)

The ability of TGA to reveal the thermal characteristics of different materials even in minute quantities makes it a must-have tool in any comprehensive analysis and testing toolkit.

Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) is a technique used in analytical chemistry to analyze the thermal stability and composition of a material. It involves the continuous measurement of a sample weight while it is heated to high temperatures. More specifically, in TGA, the sample is heated at a constant rate in a controlled environment (typically inert gas) and the weight of the sample is monitored as a function of temperature. This allows for the determination of physical and chemical properties of materials such as decomposition temperature, decomposition products, moisture content and other crucial thermal characteristics. TGA is commonly used in the pharmaceutical, polymer, and environmental industries for quality control, research, and development purposes.

Fig. 1. Image of thermal gravimetric analyzer.

What is TGA Used For?

Some common applications of TGA in material analysis include:

Determining the thermal stability of materials: TGA can be used to study the degradation behavior of polymers, including determining the onset temperature of degradation, weight loss profiles, and the identification of degradation products.
Characterizing the purity of materials: TGA can be used to analyze the purity of materials by measuring the amount of volatile impurities present in a sample. This analysis can provide information on the composition and quality of the material.
Studying thermal transitions in materials: TGA can be used to study phase transitions, such as melting, crystallization, or decomposition, in materials. The technique can provide information on the temperature at which these transitions occur and the associated energy changes.
Analyzing the composition of composites: TGA can be used to study the composition of composite materials, such as determining the distribution of components or identifying filler materials in a composite.
Others: TGA helps to determine the material's the amount of absorbed water, the purity, volatile organic compounds (VOC), organic and inorganic contents, lifetimes, degradation rate, oxidation, etc.

As such, it is widely used to analyze various materials such as pharmaceuticals, food, composites, polymers, rubber, coatings, plastics, food packaging materials, laminates, organic materials, biological samples, petroleum, and many more.

Application of TGA in Deformulation

An area where TGA proves particularly beneficial is deformulation. By slowly increasing the temperature and recording the resulting weight changes, TGA can help determine the exact ratio and the types of components within a given mixture. It can detect even minute quantities of each constituent, even down to parts per million (ppm), making it an indispensable tool in the deformulation process. For instance, in polymer systems (such as paints & coatings, adhesives, inks, rubbers, packing materials, composites materials, etc.), by subjecting the material to a controlled temperature, the weight loss of the material can be monitored, providing valuable information on the thermal stability. This can help in identifying the type of polymer and any additives or fillers present. Furthermore, TGA can also be used to analyze the decomposition products released during the thermal degradation. By coupling TGA with other analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, the volatile compounds released during degradation can be identified, providing insights into the chemical composition of the product. In addition, TGA can be used to assess the moisture content of materials.

Overall, TGA is a versatile and powerful technique that can provide valuable information on the composition, thermal stability, and degradation behavior of various products and materials, making it a valuable tool in the deformulation.

How We Can Help You?

As an analytical laboratory with a focus on providing accurate and comprehensive solutions to our clients, we harness the power of TGA in our services. Our team of experts can assist a spectrum of industries, from polymer systems (such as paints & coatings, adhesives, inks, rubbers, packing materials, composites materials, etc.), to pharmaceuticals, food, composites, through precise, repeatable TGA analysis. Employing TGA's capabilities, we can aid you in deformulating products, allowing you to discern competitors' product composition and giving you an edge. we also can likewise aid in quality control, ensuring your raw materials and final products conform to industry standards and regulations regarding thermal stability and composition.

Moreover, we continuously invest in cutting-edge equipment, training, and software, ensuring our TGA testing capabilities remain at the forefront of the field. Today we have combined this technology with Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR ) or mass spectrometry (TGA-MS). Our goal is to equip businesses with the crucial data they need to succeed in their respective industries.

Please kindly note that our products and services are for research use only.