Thermomechanical analysis

Definition/objectives:

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) is used to characterize the mechanical properties of materials as a function of temperature, and thus verify that the material structure is suitable for the end use.

Performance measurement (standard tests and equipment):

• Tensile, compression or flexure test (ASTM D638, ASTM D 695, ASTM D 790, ISO-527-1 standard, and ISO-178 standard); Impact Notch (ASTM D 256 and ISO-179-1 standard), mass drop test (ISO 6272 standard).
• Thermo-mechanical tests: thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), fire test (Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI), Mass loss calorimeter and UL94 testing). Gas permeability (oxygen, nitrogen, CO2)
• Tensile strength/deformation of films/Tensile Young's modulus
• Linear coefficient of thermal expansion
• Deflection temperature of polymers (HDT) (ASTM D 648 and ASTM D1525 )
• Rheological measurements of viscous polymer systems in shear (low and high shear rates) (ASTM D1238 and ISO-1133-1 )
• Penetration and impact measurements
• Measurement of polymer melt flow index (MFI)
• Viscoelastic behavior ; monitoring cross-linking of thermosetting resins or control of finished composite materials.
• Isothermal creep (irreversible deformation of a material measured as a function of time under constant applied load)
• Detection of transitions (glass transition, softening, melting, decomposition, etc.)
• Measurement of heat exchange
• Measurement of density (ASTM D 792 and ISO-1183-1 standard)
• Measurement of material hardness to ASTM D2240 (Shore hardness tester)
• Measurement of Rockwell hardness of plastics to ASTM D785
• Mechanical properties in dynamic mode (DMA)