1. Introduction to Thermal Analysis

Thermal analysis (TA) is a technique that records the functional relationship between physical properties and temperature of sample under the programmed temperature conditions. The most commonly used TA methods are differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The most commonly used thermal analysis crucible consumables are alumina thermal analysis crucible , aluminum sample plate and platinum crucible.

1.1 Differential Thermal Analysis

DTA is a technique for measuring the temperature difference between the sample and a reference with respect to temperature or time under programmed temperature and a certain atmosphere.

1.2 Differential Scanning Calorimetry

DSC is a technique for measuring the relationship between heat flow rate or heating power (difference) and temperature or time under programmed temperature and certain atmosphere.

1.3 Thermogravimetry

TG is a technique for measuring the relationship between mass change of a sample and temperature (T) or time (t) under a programmed temperature and a certain atmosphere.

1.4 Thermomechanical Analysis

Static thermomechanical analysis is measuring the relationship between sample deformation and temperature under programmed temperature with non-vibration load. Dynamic thermomechanical analysis is measuring the relationship between dynamic mechanical properties and temperature of a material with vibration load.

2. Thermal Analysis in Metallic Material

2.1 Application in Drawing Binary Metal Phase Diagram

Phase diagram is an important factor to analyze binary and multi-component phase structures. Determination of thermochemical reaction data and phase diagram drawing are necessary for new material research.

2.2 Application in Casting Composition Detection and Performance Prediction

The latest TA technology is used to obtain predetermined structure and optimize control of casting production, which can judge quality of castings.

2.3 Application in Research of Cermet Materials

TA is used to analyze the composition of ceramic raw materials and temperature change process, which provides a reliable material basis for ceramic materials to be made into required products.

2.4 Application in Testing Parameters of Metallic Materials

TA is a kind of testing technology that changes thermal effect by temperature change, to study the change of physical or chemical properties inside the material.

3. Application of Thermal Analysis in Other Materials

3.1 Application in Glass Transformation

Structure inside the glass is difficult to observe directly due to limited detection means. DTA is a calorimetric analysis method that commonly used to study crystalline state, which is closely related to thermal effect and change of glass.

3.2 Application in Polymer Materials

TA is the main tool to study characteristic temperature, composition, thermal stability of polymer materials, and physical and chemical properties change of samples in thermal analysis sample tray with temperature change.

3.3 Application in Organic Material Research

TA technology has developed into an irreplaceable method in fiber research, to study its thermal properties and improve its properties.

3.4 Application in Identifying Automobile Tire Rubber

People often use DTA, DSC, TG and their combination techniques in the research of rubber materials, and take structural characteristics of rubber or related problems in rubber vulcanization system as research objects.

3.5 Application in Inorganic Material

For inorganic material study, a lot of information can be obtained through TA technology, including physical and chemical changes, so this technology has been widely used in various fields such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry and high molecular chemistry.

4. Prospection

With the innovation of science and technology, TA is developing in the direction of intelligence, micro-sampling, precision, method diversification, expansion of research fields and innovation of technology. It can be expected that thermal analysis will have a wider application prospect in material analysis in the future.