Go to content (click on Intro)
UdG Home UdG Home
Close
Menu

Research Technical Services

Thermomechanical Analysis

TMA

Anàlisi Termomecànica (TMA) allows us to measure the variations in the dimensions of a sample, depending on the temperature, when it is subjected to a non-oscillating load.

The measurement can correspond either to an expansion if the load does not cause a deformation of the sample, or to a measurement of the deformation due to the applied load, or to a variation of the dimensions caused by the temperature and the load.

Job request

In order to request sample analysis by TMA, you must contact the staff responsible for the equipment.

The toxicity and storage precautions of the samples must be reported.If unclaimed, surplus samples will be destroyed within one week of delivery of results.

The equipment

SETARAM Setsys Evolution 16

Year :
2004



Temperature range:
ambient temperature up to 1000ºC.
Two measurement ranges:
±0,2 mm and ±2 mm
Lower range resolution:
0.0004 μm.
Upper range resolution:
0.004 μm.
Electromagnetic force of the support:
150 g / -20 g.
Additional mechanical strength of the support:
200 g.
Maximum sample size:
L = 20 mm (Ø10mm)

NETZSCH DIL 402 Expedis Select

Year:
2018
Temperature range:
From -180 ºC to 500 ºC
Size range:
±10 mm
Length change resolution:
0.001 μm
Force range:
From 10 mN to 3 N
Force resolution:
0,001N
Maximum sample size:
L = 52 mm (Ø12mm)

How does it work?

In the TMA technique, the sample is placed on a quartz support (low coefficient of thermal expansion), at the same time the sample is in contact with a quartz probe.Depending on the mechanical test mode (compression, bending or traction) a suitable support and probe are used.The set is inserted into a programmable temperature oven.

When the temperature program is run, the sample undergoes a change in its dimensions, either an expansion or a contraction.This change will cause a displacement of the probe (both are in contact) which will be measured by an LVDT sensor.

In the graph resulting from the TMA test, the variation of the dimensions of the sample is obtained depending on the temperature.

TMA instruments allow a controlled force to be applied to the sample through the probe.When no force is applied or its value is very low (only to ensure good contact with the sample), the test is used to obtain the coefficient of thermal expansion (coefficient of expansion) of the material.By applying force on the sample, studies can be carried out using creep-recovery.

Applications / Practical cases

This technique is particularly suitable for measuring variations in the dimensions of solids or powders.

TMA is used to characterise polymers and composites (bleaching, glass transition, degradation, cross-linking) subjected to different stresses.

It is also used to study films and fibres, sintering of ceramics, thermal behaviour of alloys and, more generally, to measure the coefficient of expansion.

More information:

Choose which types of cookies you accept which the University of Girona can store in your browser.

Those that are essential for enabling your connection.There is no option for disabling them, as they are necessary for the functioning of the website.

These enable your options to be remembered (for example language or region you are accessing from), to provide you with advanced services.

They provide statistical information and enable improved services.We use Google Analytics cookies which you can deactivate by installing this plugin.

To offer advertising contents relating to the interests of users, either directly, or through third parties (“adservers”). These must be activated if you wish to see the YouTube videos uploaded to the University of Girona’s website.