Thermo Mechanical Analysis

TMA Thermal Analysis Services

Thermomechanical Analysis provides dimensional properties data for a wide range of materials. TMA can be more sensitive than DSC when detecting the Tg of highly filled materials and composites. TMA analysis is used for polymers, films, plastics, composites, laminates, adhesives, coatings, pharmaceuticals, rubbers, metals, glasses, ceramics and fibres and other materials.

Intertek TMA thermomechanical capabilities include:

• Measurement of dimensional change with temperature or force variation
• Provision of coefficient of linear thermal expansion data (CLTE)
• Determination of material anisotropy
• Softening temperatures and glass transition (Tg) by penetration and indentation studies

The Intertek MSG Thermal Analysis Laboratory has significant expertise and capabilities. Contact Intertek MSG for more information.

Advantages of Thermo-mechanical (TMA) materials analysis:

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) measures dimensional change of samples using a non-oscillating stress against either a temperature or time profile.The expansion characteristics of bulk samples can be determined using a standard flat compression probe. A series of runs are performed to measure expansion through each axis of a specimen. Data such as CLTE and glass transition (Tg) values can be obtained using this approach.

Another means of assessing glass transition (Tg) values of a material by TMA is by using a penetration probe. In this mode, softening, creep or cure behaviour of samples can be characterised. This approach is particularly useful when determining the glass transition of a coating on a substrate.

Uniaxial extension or shrinkage properties of a material can be measured by mounting specimens in a set of tension clamps. This type of test is commonly performed on thin films or fibre samples to obtain CLTE data. For more details of Thermomechanical Analysis, contact Intertek MSG.