Thermal analysis is the broad category of at least 20 techniques that measure some fundamental property of matter as a result of adding heat. For example, dilatometry measures volume changes upon heating, thermomechanical analysis quantifies the change in dimension of a sample as a function of temperature, and thermo-optical analysis detects changes in optical properties on heating or cooling.

Top 5 Signs that You Should Service or Replace Your Thermal Analyzer

		Your current instrument doesn’t perform the type or types of thermal analysis you need for the materials you work with—either differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), another technique, or a combo of these techniques. DSC is most often used with materials that undergo phase changes while TGA is often used to quantify the residual solvent or moisture content of a sample (for example, in foods and pharmaceuticals). A related technique, evolved gas analysis, analyzes gas decomposition products.
		The software is too complicated and awkward to use for the non-experts in your lab and/or the analyzer takes up too much space.
		Sample prep for the instrument is taking too long or is too cumbersome.
		Your current instrument doesn’t provide all the features you need, such as macros and wizards and the ability to schedule after-hours calibration.
		The analyzer doesn’t provide the sensitivity, temperature range or heating and cooling rates you need.

Top 6 Questions That You Should Ask When Buying a Thermal Analyzer

	If you are going to be analyzing x,y,z properties, ask if the company has any customers conducting the same type of work and if you can talk to them.
	Ask if you can submit a sample for a demo using specified conditions and, if so, how long this will take and whether a report will be provided.
	What type of post-sale application and technical support does the company offer, and how much will it cost you?
	What features distinguish the company’s instrument from their competitors’?
	What can the company tell you about the quality of the product, i.e., how it was manufactured and tested? This will help you determine the typical lifespan.
	What can the vendor tell you about the total cost of ownership, including expected consumables, software upgrades, service, and warranty costs?

Recently Released Thermal Analyzers

TL-9000

• Combines the power of thermal analysis, with the specificity of separation and the sensitivity of detection available in spectroscopic and chromatographic methods
• Offers an accessory that enables hyphenation
• Provides scientists the ability to identify and study low levels of materials in highly complex matrices

PerkinElmer
www.perkinelmer.com

DTG-60/ DTG-60A

• Improves ease of operation, sensitivity and analytical accuracy of conventional standalone systems
• Basic functions required by simultaneous thermogravimetry/ differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) measurements are improved
• Features programmable atmosphere control
• Provides advanced acquisition, analysis and report functions which ensure comfortable simultaneous measurements
• DTG-60A is a new automatic DTG which defines new standards in autosampler technology

Shimadzu
www.ssi.shimadzu.com

Flash DSC 1

• Opens up new frontiers in the field of materials characterization
• Ultra-high heating and cooling rates add a new dimension to the study of thermally induced physical transitions and chemical processes
• Enables users to investigate effects that were previously impossible to measure
• Features Fast response sensor and wide temperature range

Mettler Toledo
www.mt.com

Discovery Series TGA

• Combines innovative technologies for temperature control and mass measurement with an advanced user interface
• Introduces Diffusion-Bonded Sensor technology which improves sensitivity of the temperature measurement while maintaining a very short time constant for excellent signal resolution
• New TRIOS software makes it easy for users to manage the sample queue

TA Instruments
www.tainstruments.com

Thermal Analyzers Manufacturers