Composition and stability can be studied by weighing samples before and after separate treatments, by measuring heat flow, or by tracking mass as a sample heats. This explains where a Fison Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer fits among those methods, the benefits it brings, and what to check before choosing one.
Three Ways to Study Composition and Stability
Wet chemistry methods often answer composition questions in steps: a sample is weighed, treated or heated in separate equipment, cooled, and weighed again. A differential scanning calorimeter takes a different route, measuring heat flow between a sample and a reference rather than weight. Each method answers part of the question.
A Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer measures mass directly and continuously while temperature follows a set program. The Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer records weight, temperature, and time together, so one run shows when a material loses mass, how much it loses, and what remains at the end.
How Continuous Weighing Works Inside a Furnace
The ThermoGravimetric Analysis principle places a small sample in a crucible on a precision balance inside a furnace. As temperature rises, falls, or holds steady, the balance follows each change in sample weight.
Microgram Balance
The balance resolves mass changes to fractions of a microgram, so small losses show clearly on the TG curve.
Atmosphere Control
A gas flowmeter with a two-way gas switch sets inert, oxidizing, reducing, static, or dynamic conditions around the sample.
Software plots the TG curve automatically. Each step down the curve marks a stage of mass loss, and the final weight shows the share of the sample that survives the program. This is the core of the thermo gravimetric approach.
Eight Advantages Over Stepwise and Heat Flow Methods
When the question is how mass changes with temperature, a Thermogravimetric analyzer instrument offers these benefits over stepwise wet chemistry and differential scanning calorimetry.
Direct Mass Measurement
A differential scanning calorimeter measures heat flow, while the Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer weighs the sample itself.
Far Higher Temperatures
Models reach well over a thousand degrees Celsius, compared with a few hundred degrees on the differential scanning calorimeter in the same lineup.
One Continuous Record
The Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer logs weight throughout heating, instead of only before and after separate treatment steps.
Microgram Resolution
Fine balance resolution on the Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer picks up small losses that a separate weighing step could miss.
Chosen Atmosphere
Inert, oxidizing, and reducing conditions run on the Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer without moving the sample between setups.
Flexible Programs
Rising, cooling, and constant temperature modes with adjustable hold times suit many test methods.
Wide Heating Rate Range
Heating rates adjust from slow to fast, so one Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer covers several methods.
Automatic Curves and Fast Cooling
Software records weight, temperature, and time in real time, and the furnace cools within minutes between runs.
Where Thermo Gravimetric Analysis Is Used
A ThermoGravimetric Analysis machine supports chemical, pharmaceutical, materials production, biotechnology, and research labs wherever composition and thermal stability matter.
Ingredient Content in Plastics and Rubber
Ingredients quantitative analysis uses the weight recorded during and after heating to show ingredient content in plastics, rubber, and coatings.
Thermal Stability and Decomposition
Chemical and materials labs use a Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer to find the temperature at which a material begins to decompose.
Pharmaceutical Testing
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology labs test drugs on a Thermo gravimetric analyzer to study their thermal stability and decomposition.
Metals and Inorganic Research
Research and education labs study oxidation, reduction, adsorption, and desorption processes, and test metal materials and inorganic samples.
Thermal stability, decomposition, and ingredient content are mass questions, which is where a Thermogravimetric analysis machine adds the most. The range of Thermo Gravimetric Analyzers shows how upper temperature limits differ between models.
Wet Chemistry, DSC, and TGA Compared
| Factor | Stepwise Wet Chemistry | Differential Scanning Calorimeter | Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Weight before and after each step | Heat flow against a reference | Weight throughout heating |
| Upper temperature | Depends on separate equipment | A few hundred degrees | Well over a thousand degrees |
| Record | Separate readings | Heat flow curve | Continuous TG curve |
| Transitions without weight change | Not seen | Detected | Not seen |
| Strongest at | Simple single-step checks | Fine thermal resolution at lower temperatures | Decomposition, stability, and ingredient content |
Common Selection Mistakes to Avoid
Using TGA for Melting Studies
Because the ThermoGravimetric Analysis principle relies on mass change, melting and crystallization often go unseen. A differential scanning calorimeter or differential thermal analyzer suits those questions.
Picking the Wrong Upper Limit
Upper limits differ between models. Match the Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer to the hottest step in your methods.
Mismatching Crucibles
Aluminum crucibles on a Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer are limited to lower temperatures, so high-temperature work needs ceramic crucibles.
Overlooking Sample Weight Range
The Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer balance handles samples from milligrams up to grams, with an extended range of tens of grams. Confirm your typical sample size sits within that range.
Exploring the Thermal Analyzer Category
A ThermoGravimetric Analyzer instrument belongs to the wider thermal analyzer family alongside differential scanning calorimeters, differential thermal analyzers, and synchronous thermal analyzers. Labs comparing ThermoGravimetric Analyzers usually weigh upper temperature, balance resolution, weight range, heating rate, atmosphere control, software, and a serial data interface for moving TG curves to lab computers.
Whether you are moving away from stepwise weighing or adding mass data beside heat flow results for plastics, rubber, coatings, and metal materials, you can review the full Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer lineup to compare models, or browse other laboratory instruments on the Fison home .
See Thermo Gravimetric Analysis in Detail
Review upper temperatures, balance resolution, and heating programs by model.
Explore Thermogravimetric Analyzers
