Test standards Alpine supports: ASTM D3850, ASTM D6370, & ISO 11358
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is an analytical technique that measures the weight change of a material as it is heated over time, providing critical insight into the composition and thermal behavior of polymers, elastomers, and composites. Often used after FTIR analysis in the material identification hierarchy, TGA helps quantify the amounts of fillers, volatiles, plasticizers, and base polymers within a sample while also measuring the onset and offset of thermal events such as evaporation and degradation. TGA is particularly valuable for material identification and failure analysis, and when combined with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), it provides an accurate depiction of a material’s thermal properties, transitions, and stability.
TGA provides quantitative data to confirm initial material identification and identify non-polymer additives critical to a component’s performance. It also assists in determining if improper formulation, contamination, or degradation contributed to a component’s failure by showing how materials behave under thermal stress. Alpine Polytech offers professional TGA testing and expert interpretation of results, providing clear recommendations on the next steps to support your material development, troubleshooting, or quality validation needs.
TGA can also be used in tandem with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), allowing precise measurement of thermal transitions such as glass transition and melting points while simultaneously monitoring weight changes. This combined analysis creates a comprehensive thermal profile, ensuring accurate characterization of materials for performance prediction and formulation validation.
Testing Details
ASTM E1131: Compositional analysis of polymers using TGA.
ISO 11358: TGA of polymers, including determination of characteristic decomposition temperatures.
ASTM D6370: Rubber compounding materials analysis for fillers such as organics, carbon black, and ash.
ASTM D3850: Rapid thermal analysis of plastics for compositional analysis.
During testing, a small sample is placed into a microbalance (sensitive to less than 1000 mg) located inside a temperature-controlled furnace. The material is heated at a controlled rate, typically under a nitrogen (inert) or air (oxidizing) atmosphere depending on the testing stage, while the system continuously records weight changes as the temperature increases. The residue left behind after the test is also analyzed. These allow clear identification of moisture loss, volatile content, decomposition stages, and residual filler or inorganic content. Test parameters such as heating rates, temperature ranges (up to 1000°C), and atmosphere are customized to match the application environment and material type