Moisture & volatile content
Mass lost at low temperature as water and solvents leave.
Useful forPowders, polymers, pharmaceuticalsThermal Analysis
TGA
Thermogravimetric Analysis
TGA weighs a sample continuously as it is heated. The mass-loss steps show moisture and volatiles, decomposition temperatures and the final residue, such as filler or ash content.
3 test optionsMicrogram mass resolutionRoom temperature to 1500 °CTypical turnaround 3–5 working days
TGA measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is TGA?
Thermogravimetric Analysis places a few milligrams of sample on a sensitive microbalance inside a furnace. As the temperature rises at a set rate, the balance records every change in mass, so evaporation, dehydration, decomposition and oxidation each appear as a step in the curve.
TGA is the quickest way to find how much of a material is moisture, organic matter or inorganic residue, and at what temperature it becomes unstable. Switching the gas from nitrogen to air helps separate polymer, carbon and filler. It cannot see events without a mass change, such as melting.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is loaded
A few milligrams are placed in a small crucible and the balance is tared.
- 02
Weighed while heated
The crucible hangs from a microbalance inside the furnace, under a gas purge.
- 03
Mass is tracked
As the furnace heats at a steady rate, the balance records every change in mass.
- 04
Steps are measured
Each step gives a mass loss in %, and the plateau at the end gives the residue.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Thermal stability
The onset temperature at which the material starts to decompose.
Useful forPolymers, drugs, organicsFiller, ash & residue content
Inorganic residue left once organic matter has burnt off.
Useful forFilled plastics, composites, rubberMulti-component composition
Polymer, carbon black and filler fractions from successive steps.
Useful forRubber compounds, blendsOrganic loading on particles
Amount of coating, ligand or drug carried on nanoparticles.
Useful forFunctionalised nanomaterials, carriersOxidation & mass gain
Mass increase as metals or alloys oxidise in air.
Useful forMetals, alloys, oxidation resistance04 / Test options
Choose the TGA options you need
3 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Powders, granules, films, fibres, small solid pieces and liquids
- Quantity
- At least 50 mg per sample (5–20 mg is used per run)
- Piece size
- Small enough to lie flat in a ~5 mm crucible
- Liquids
- Sent in sealed vials; mention if volatile
- Dry samples, unless moisture content is part of the study
- State the atmosphere (nitrogen or air) and end temperature you need
- Send in sealed, labelled vials
- No explosive, energetic or self-reactive materials
- No samples releasing corrosive or toxic gases without prior discussion
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- TGA curve (mass % vs temperature)
- DTG (derivative) curve
- Mass loss per step and final residue (%)
- Onset and decomposition temperatures
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 3–5 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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