Polymers

Versatile polymers can generally be divided into three main groups: thermoplastics, elastomers and thermosets. Their thermal properties can be determined with our thermoanalytical measuring systems in the fields of product development, quality assurance, failure analysis and process optimization.

The No. 1 thermo-analytical method for polymers is DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), with which thermal effects and derivational magnitudes for such properties as melting, crystallization, crosslinking, glass transition, specific heat, and oxidation can be investigated.

TG (Thermogravimetry) provides information about the composition and thermostability of polymer mixtures and blends. In addition, gas analyses with QMS (Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry) or FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared-Spectroscopy) can also be performed.

Dilatometry and TMA (Thermomechanical Analysis) yield the coefficient of thermal expansion. DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis) also provides values for the coefficient of elasticity and information regarding the visco-elastic behavior, aging, creep and relaxation.

With DEA (Dielectric Analysis), the curing behavior of reactive resin systems can be measured, even during processing.

Using LFA (Laser/Light Flash Analysis), the thermal diffusivity for thermoplastic melts can also be measured and the thermal conductivity can be determined. The thermal conductivity of polymer isolation foams can be measured with the heat flow meter (HFM).

	DSC	Pressure-DSC	Photo-DSC	TG / STA	DIL	TMA	DMA	DEA	LFA	HFM / GHP
Thermoplastics:	•	o	-	•	•	•	•	-	•	-
Thermoplastic Elastomers:	•	o	-	•	•	•	•	-	•	-
Elastomers / Rubbers:	•	o	-	•	•	•	•	o	•	o
Thermosets:	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	o
Paints / Coatings:	•	o	•	•	-	•	•	•	o	-
Adhesives:	•	-	•	•	o	•	•	•	o	-
Foams:	•	-	-	•	•	•	•	o	-	•
Composites:	•	-	-	•	•	•	•	•	•	-

legend:
• ideal
o possible with some effort
- not possible, not practicable


Please choose your polymer application field. Using various issues as examples, you will get detailed insight into the world of Thermal Analysis.

• Thermosets, Paints and Adhesives

• Elastomers and Rubbers

• Thermoplastics and Thermoplastic Elastomers

Our product recommendation for you:

DSC 200 F3 Maia®
This newest Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) development at NETZSCH unites compactness, robustness and simple operation with high detection sensitivity for your preferred application in material quality control and failure analysis, especially in polymer processing.
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DSC 204 F1 Phoenix®
Very high sensitivity and resolution can be realized with this premium Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), which also features an automatic sample changer (ASC), temperature modulation (TM-DSC), baseline optimization (BeFlat®), correction of thermal resistance and time constants (DSC-correction), even coupling to QMS and FTIR as well as UV-extension for photo-calorimetry.
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Photo-DSC 204 F1 Phoenix®
The Photo-DSC 204 F1 Phoenix®, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, is our answer to the market trend seeking solutions for analyzing the UV curing of light-activated resin systems, adhesives, paints, coatings and dental masses. Further application areas include determining the effect of light on the shelf life of foods or technical oils, fats and lubricants.
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DSC 204 HP Phoenix® - High-pressure Differntial Scanning Calorimeter
DSC measurements with selectable gas pressure allow additional possibilities for the study of chemical reactions, vaporization processes (ASTM E 1782), adsorption and desorption, and aging studies (ASTM E 1858, ASTM D 6186, ASTM E 2009, ASTM D 5483). The DSC 204 HP Phoenix®, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, is ideally configured for these applications.
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TG 209 F3 Tarsus
This easy-to-use thermo-microbalance (TGA) was developed especially for routine applications in the field of plastics, but also for the chemical industry. It is the ideal starter unit up to 1000°C and, together with the DSC 200 F3 Maia®, represents a cost-effective overall concept.
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TG 209 F1 Iris®
This premium thermobalance (TGA), through flexibility in the fittings, covers all imaginable applications of a modern TGA in the range up to 1000°C. High sensitivity, short cooling times and the automatic sample changer (ASC), make this TGA particularly well-suited for the compositional analysis of plastics and rubbers.
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NEW: STA 449 F3 Jupiter®
The new STA 449 F3 Jupiter® combines the advantages of a high sensitive thermobalance and a true Differential Scanning Calorimeter. Various furnaces and TG, TGA-DTA- and TGA-DSC-sensors can be used, whereby the system can be easily optimized for the most versatile applications.
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TMA 202
With a unique concept for simple operation, the TMA 202 is the routine instrument for materials developers and polymer users and enables expansion, penetration, bending and tension measurements on polymers.
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DMA 242 C
The robust construction of the DMA 242 C and the high resolution of the deformation measuring system enable precise measurements on both very rigid and very soft samples. The most varied of deformation types, digital signal filtering, kinetic evaluation and frequency extrapolation make the DMA 242 C to a real all-rounder.
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DEA 230 Epsilon Series
There are three different systems in the 230 Epsilon series of Dielectric Cure Monitors: the high-performance, 2-channel DEA 230/2 with the broadest measurement and frequency range, particularly for product development and process optimization, the single-channel DEA 230/1, and the 10-channel DEA 230/10, also suitable for applications in manufacturing.
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LFA 447 NanoFlash®
In the LFA 447 NanoFlash®, a powerful Xenon flash lamp is used instead of the laser used in other LFA instruments. An integrated sample changer and easy accessibility to the sample receptacle allow high sample throughput for routine applications up to 300°C.
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HFM 436 Lambda
With the HFM 436 Lambda, the thermal conductivity of large-sized, plate-formed insulators is investigated at a fixed or adjustable temperature gradient. The built-in PC – or an externally connected one – delivers the precise measurement data after a short compensation time.
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QMS 403 C Aëolos®
The QMS 403 Aëolos® is a very compact mass spectrometer with a heated capillary inlet system, specially designed for routine analysis of volatile decomposition products of thermal analysis (instrument for EGA: Evolved Gas Analysis).
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FTIR Coupling
Different thermo-analysis systems can be combined with a Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), which has proved its efficiency especially in the organic field. (EGA method: Evolved Gas Analysis)
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