TA Instruments TGA 5500

1. Overview

• TA Instruments TGA 5500 with IR furnace is a high-performance thermogravimetric analyzer.
• Uses infrared (IR) heating via quartz halogen lamps for rapid, uniform sample heating.
• Designed for precise thermal analysis, including decomposition, oxidation, and moisture loss.
• Equipped with temperature-controlled thermocouples, heat shields, and purge gas system for accurate measurements.
• Optional magnetic coil enables automated Curie point calibration and magnetic studies.

2. Principle

• IR energy from lamps is absorbed by a cylinder surrounding the sample, heating the sample, pan, and thermocouple.
• Thermocouple assembly monitors and controls temperature; secondary thermocouple protects the furnace from overheating.
• Heat shields reduce end losses; purge gas maintains controlled atmosphere.
• Magnetic coil allows automated calibration and studies for magnetic samples.

3. Data Interpretation

• Measures sample weight change versus temperature or time.
• Detects thermal events such as degradation, desorption, or oxidation.
• Heating rate, pan type, and sample form affect data quality and reproducibility.
• Rapid cooling allows study of reversible thermal processes.

Attention:

1. We highly recommend to get TGA data before you run DSC.
2. If the sample got degraded in DSC, that will mess up the instrument.
3. You will need to know the testing condition, from reference paper, or from the discussion with your advisor before you come.

4. Example Application

• Polymer TGA: monitors decomposition, moisture/solvent loss, and filler degradation.
• Metal/oxide TGA: determines Curie points and oxidation behavior.
• Fine powder form ensures better heat transfer.
• Pan selection depends on max temperature: ~600 °C or up to 1000 °C.

Publications involving the TGA system in the experimental conditions:

• Determination of grafting density of polymers on carbon nanotubes and degradation temperatures of Diels-Alder polymer network
  • • Dynamic polymer network conductive composites: Low percolation threshold and Joule-heating induced network plasticity |Chemical Engineering Journal

5. Capabilities:

• Volatile content
• Thermal and oxidative stability
• Activation energy
• Composition of multi-component system
• Decomposition kinetics
• Effects of reactive atmosphere

6. Features:

• Temperature range: Ambient to 1200°C
• Heating rate (linear): 0.1 to 500°C/min
• Heating rate (ballistic): >1600°C/min
• Sample weight capacity: 1000 mg