Proven Excellence. Thermal and Rheological Characterization of Polymers Thermoplastics, Thermosets, Elastomers Analyzing & Testing

Polymers – Materials that Shape Our World and Our Future Polymer materials have revolutionized modern life – and they continue to do so. From packaging and electronics to mobility and medical technology, polymers are indispensable due to their versatility, functionality, and cost-efficiency. Today, however, the focus is not only on performance, but also on sustainability. The ability to recycle polymers, develop bio-based alternatives, and accurately characterize material properties is becoming essential for responsible innovation. The plastics industry is undergoing a major transformation. Recyclates,...

During their production, processing, and application, polymers are subjected to temperature- and time-dependent structural changes that influence their flow behavior, stability, and overall performance. To fully understand and control these effects, thermal analysis, rheology, and fire testing have become essential tools in both industrial and research environments. These analytical techniques provide deep insights into the thermal, mechanical, and fire-related properties of polymers and polymer-based products. They allow users to evaluate not only basic material characteristics, but also the...

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is the most frequently employed thermal analysis method. It can be used to analyze nearly any energetic effect occurring in a solid or liquid during thermal treatment. DSC analysis in accordance with ISO 1 1357 provides the following valuable information for the development and quality control of polymers: Product Identification and Characterization ■ Glass transition temperatures ■ Specific heat capacity Advanced Materials Analysis ■ Reaction behavior and kinetics ■ Purity determination for additives ■ Stability under pressure Product/Process Information...

DSC Systems Made for Polymer Applications The DSC 300 Caliris® Classic is a robust, economical entry-level instrument with excellent performance for quality control and teaching. This system has an optional automatic sample changer with 20 samples and a touch display. The DSC 300 Caliris® Select allows the sensor module to be interchanged with an identical module, while the DSC 300 Caliris® Supreme allows the module to be freely interchanged with any available module. A large automatic sample changer and a coupling option are available for DSC 300 Caliris® Select/Supreme. The P-Module was specially...

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) Thermogravimetry (TG), or Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), is a well proven thermal analysis method for measuring mass changes as a function of temperature or time. TGA is used in the research & development of various substances and engineering materials – both solids and liquids – in order to obtain knowledge about their thermal stability and composition. In recent decades, TGA has been used increasingly in quality control and assurance for raw materials and incoming goods, as well as in the failure analysis of finished parts, especially in the polymer-processing...

Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) generally refers to the simultaneous application of thermogravimetry (TG) and DSC to one and the same sample in a single instrument. Main advantages are the identical test conditions for the TGA and DSC signals (same atmosphere, gas flow rate, vapor pressure of the sample, heating rate, thermal contact to the sample crucible and sensor, radiation effect, etc.). In addition, sample throughput is improved as more information is simultaneously gathered from each test run. The DSC, TGA and STA systems all meet the majority of the respective instrument and application...

Top-level polymer research and characterization can be achieved by coupling the thermoanalytical methods of TGA, DSC, STA, TMA and DIL to a mass spectrometer (MS), gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC-MS) or Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. These hyphenated techniques may also include simultaneous coupling of the MS and FT-IR or GC-MS and FT-IR to the thermal analyzer. In addition, the unique adapter allows for coupling even when used in combination with an Automatic Sample Changer (ASC). Coupling Possibilities ■ "GA-, DSC-, or STA-MS via capillary coupling ■ STA-MS via SKIMMER...

Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)/ Dilatometry (DIL) Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and dilatometry (DIL) are two of the most important characterization techniques in the field of thermal analysis. DIL determines the length change of samples under a negligible load (DIN 51045). The closely related TMA method also determines the dimensional changes of solids, liquids or pasty materials as a function of temperature and/or time under a defined static load (ISO 11359, DIN 51 005, ASTM E831, ASTM D696, ASTM D3386). TMA/DIL Measurement Information With the TMA 512 Hyperion®, measurements can be carried...

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) allows for the quantitative determination of the mechanical properties of a sample under an oscillating force and as a function of temperature, time, frequency and strain (DIN 53513, DIN EN ISO 6721, DIN 53440, DIN-IEC 1006, ASTM D4065, ASTM D4092, ASTM D4473, ASTM D5023, ASTM D5024, ASTM D5026, ASTM D5418). The results portray the linear viscoelastic properties, typically depicting them as a graphical plot of E’ (storage modulus), E” (loss modulus), and tan δ (loss factor) versus temperature. The DMA Eplexor® series identifies...

A variety of questions may arise during the curing process of reactive resins. ■ At which temperature, or after how much time, does the resin begin to cure? ■ When is curing completed? ■ s the curing profile identical for every position in the mold? ■ How can the curing cycle be optimized in order to save energy and costs? ■ s there any potential for post-curing? For investigation of the curing behavior of thermosetting resin systems, composite materials, adhesives, paints and coatings, dielectric analysis (DEA) in accordance with ASTM E2038 or E2039 has stood the test of time. Measurement Principle...