Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) is used to measure the dimensional changes of a material as a function of temperature. It is one of the most important thermal analysis techniques, complementary to the well-established DSC, TGA and DMA techniques. TMA allows you to determine expansion coefficients and softening temperatures. It can measure relaxation effects that are often not detected by DSC.
TMA quickly provides characteristic information on materials from very thin layers to large samples, plastic laminates, fibers, and single crystals. TMA measures the temperature of effects in which dimensional changes occur, such as glass transitions, softening, solid-solid transitions, fusion and decomposition (foaming, delamination, etc.).
The characteristic values and properties most frequently studied are
- Expansion coefficients
- Glass transition temperatures
- Softening temperatures
- Solid-solid transitions
- Melting behavior
In this presentation, we will discuss the basic principles of TMA and present some interesting applications.