TMA 450

Furnace

The TMA 450 features a highly-responsive low-mass furnace designed for the most precise control of temperature from -150 °C to 1000 °C and stable heating rates in the range of 0.01 to 150°C/min. The furnace ensures the superior baseline performance required for accurate dimension change measurements, as well as the dynamic temperature control required for Modulated TMA™ operation. The furnace air-cool feature facilitates experiment turnaround times in as little as 10 minutes, significantly improving laboratory productivity. The integrated Inconel® 718 Dewar atop the furnace enables liquid nitrogen cooling to -150 °C, or can be connected to the optional nitrogen-free Mechanical Cooling Accessory (MCA 70) for cooling to -70 °C. Cooling provides the ability to perform cyclic heating/cooling experiments, as well as further improving experiment turnaround times..

Sample Stage and Probes

The sample stage and probes are made of quartz and are optimized for an operational range of -150 °C to 1000 °C. Quartz is an ideal material to use on the TMA 450 because of its rigidity, inertness to corrosion, and very low thermal expansivity. The easily accessible stage simplifies probe or fixture installation, sample mounting, and thermocouple placement. The quartz probes are designed to be used in expansion, penetration, flexural (3-point bend) and tension modes of deformation and are used to determine coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), shrinkage, softening points, sintering temperatures, elongation, and much more. Integrated into the instrument design is a dual input gas delivery module that meters the flow of the purge gas to the sample area with flow rates from 0 to 200 mL/min of air, argon, helium, or nitrogen.

High Performance Displacement Transducer

The wide-range, high-precision sample measurement system —heart of the TMA 450— generates an accurate output signal that is directly proportional to a sample’s dimension change. Its precise and reliable response over a wide temperature range (-150 to 1000 °C) ensures reproducible TMA results. The measurement system provides a resolution of 15 nm for sample lengths up to 26 mm and a dynamic measuring range of ±2.5 mm, making it possible to test a wide range of sample lengths. Ideally located below the furnace, it is protected from temperature effects, and ensures stable baseline performance and repeatability.

Friction-Free Force Motor

A non-contact motor provides a controlled, friction-free, calibrated force to the sample via a probe or fixture. The force is digitally programmed from 0.001 to 1 N, and can be increased manually to 2 N by addition of weights. The precision control of the force motor generates the static, ramped, or oscillatory dynamic forces necessary for quality measurements in all deformation modes. From standard temperature ramps using a controlled force to dynamic TMA employing small amplitude, fixedfrequency sinusoidal deformation, the Discovery TMA 450 is outfitted to capture a broad spectrum of material properties with the highest level of sensitivity and accuracy.

Inconel® is a registered trademark of Special Metals Corporation

Mechanical Cooling System

Take advantage of the convenient Mechanical Cooling Accessory, the MCA 70, for unattended TMA and Modulated TMATM (MTMA^TM) operation over a broad temperature range. The MCA 70 is ideal for cyclic heating/cooling experiments that are increasingly being used by manufacturers to test materials under conditions of actual use.

Temperature Cycle Testing (TCT) determines the ability of parts to withstand extremely low and high temperatures and cyclical exposures to these extremes. A mechanical failure resulting from cyclical thermomechanical loading is known as a fatigue, so temperature cycling primarily accelerates fatigue failures. The MCA 70 makes it easier than ever to study a materials’ response to extreme changes in temperature.

MCA 70 Features and Benefits:

• Two-stage refrigeration system that provides a temperature range of -70°C to 400°C
• Sealed system eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen cooling
• Enables cycling, Modulated TMA, controlled, and ballistic cooling experiments
• Safe,convenient, and continuous cooling operation for your laboratory needs

* MCA 70 Controlled Cooling Rates, from 400^oC (upper limit)
* Performance may vary slightly, depending on laboratory conditions

Cooling rate and temperature performance envelope of the MCA 70

* Obtained under an inert nitrogen atmosphere
* Performance may vary slightly, depending on laboratory conditions

Expansion

Expansion measurements determine a material’s coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), glass transition temperature (Tg), and compression modulus. A flat-tipped standard expansion probe is placed on the sample (a small static force may be applied), and the sample is subjected to a temperature program. Probe movement records sample  expansion or contraction. This test is used with most solid samples. The larger surface area of the macro-expansion probe facilitates analysis of soft or irregular samples, powders, and films, and the dilatometer fixture allows the determination of volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion.

Expansion

Macro Expansion

Volumetric

Penetration

Penetration measurements use an extended tip probe to focus the drive force on a small area of the sample surface. This provides precise measurement of glass transition (Tg), softening, and melting behavior. It is valuable for characterizing coatings without their removal from a substrate. The probe operates like the expansion probe, but under a larger applied stress.The hemispherical probe is an alternate penetration probe for softening point measurements in solids.

Penetration

Hemispherical

Tension

Tensile studies of the stress/strain properties of films and fibers are performed using a film/fiber probe assembly. An alignment fixture permits secure and reproducible sample positioning in the clamps.Application of a fixed force is used to generate stress/strain and modulus information.Additional measurements include shrinkage force,Tg, softening temperatures, cure, and cross-link density. Dynamic tests (e.g. Dynamic TMA, Modulated TMA™) in tension can be performed to determine viscoelastic parameters (e.g., E’, E”, tan delta), and to separate overlapping transitions.

3-Point Bending

In this bending deformation (also known as flexure), the sample is supported at both ends on a two-point quartz anvil atop the stage. A fixed static force is applied vertically to the sample at its center via a wedge-shaped quartz probe. This test is considered to represent “pure” deformation, since clamping effects are eliminated. It is primarily used to determine bending properties of stiff materials (e.g., composites) and for distortion temperature measurements. Dynamic measurements are also available with the TMA 450EM, where a special low-friction metallic anvil replaces the quartz version.

JSON Export: The Future of Data Management

• Seamless Integration: Convert your TRIOS data into the open standard JSON format, making it easy to integrate with programming tools, data science workflows, and lab systems (e.g. LIMS). JSON is available:
  • Automatically on every save (enabled in options)
  • Through manual export dialogs
  • As part of the “Send to LIMS” functionality
  • Via the “Batch” processing dialog or from the command line
  • In TRIOS AutoPilot
• Data Consistency: Our publicly available JSON schema ensures a consistent data structure, allowing you to write code once and apply it universally across all your data files.
• Python Library: Use our open-sourced python library, TA Data Kit, to simplify your data ingestion or learn how to take advantage of the power of our data with our code examples.

For more information, click here

TRIOS Features

• Control multiple instruments with a single PC and software package
• Overlayand compare results across techniques including TMA, DMA, DSC, TGA, SDT, and rheometers
• One-Click analysis for increased productivity
• Automatedcustomreport generation including: experimental details, data plots and tables, analysis results
• Convenient data export  to  plain-text, PDF, CSV, XML, Excel®, Word®, PowerPoint®, and image formats
• Optional TRIOS Guardian with electronic signatures for audit trail and data integrity

Excel®, Word®, and PowerPoint® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation

Touch Screen

The Discovery TMA 450 features TA’s innovative touch screen, making operation easier than ever with enhanced One-Touch- Away™ functionality.

Touch Screen Features and Benefits:

• Ergonomic design for enhanced accessibility and productivity
• Packedwith functionality to simplify instrument operation
• Resilient, responsive touch screen for an enhanced user experience The One-Touch-Away™ interface includes:
• Start/stop controls Real-time signals and plot
• Active method viewing Temperaturesettings
• Probeand force calibrations   Probe position and sample measurement settings
• System information Testand instrument status

The app-style touch screen, powerful new TRIOS software, and quick robust calibration routines work seamlessly to dramatically improve laboratory workflows and productivity.

Ease-of-Use

TRIOS software makes calibration and operation of the TMA 450 simple. Users can easily generate multiple calibration data sets under varying experimental conditions (e.g. different heating rates or gas selections) and seamlessly switch between them to match the experimental conditions used for sample testing. Real-time signals and the progress of running experiments is readily available, with the added capability of modifying a running method on the fly. TRIOS software offers a level of flexibility that is unmatched in the industry.

Quick & Easy Calibration

TRIOS software makes calibrating the sample fixtures/probes and the TMA 450 effortless. Clear instructions, available on both the touch screen and TRIOS software, guide the operator through simple calibration steps that end with a summary report. The report provides calibration status at a glance and is stored with each data file to ensure data integrity.

Complete Data Record

The advanced data collection system automatically saves all relevant signals, active calibrations, and system settings. This comprehensive set of information is invaluable for method development, procedure deployment, and data validation.

Complete Data Analysis Capabilities

A comprehensive set of relevant tools are available for real-time data analysis, even during experiments. Gain actionable insights into your material behavior through a powerful and versatile set of features seamlessly integrated into TRIOS.

All Standard TMA Analyses:

• Alpha at X1 (CTE)
• Alpha at X1 to X2 (CTE)
• Alpha fit X1 to X2 (CTE)
• Onset and endset analysis
• Dimension change (absolute and %)
• Signal maximum and minimum
• Steptransition
• Curve values at specific X or Y points
• 1st and 2nd derivatives
• Mathematical fitting: straight line, polynomial, or exponential

Advanced Analysis Capabilities on the TMA 450EM:

• Storageand loss moduli, with tan delta peak analysis when using Dynamic TMA
• Deconvolution of the Total Dimension Change signal with Modulated TMA^TM (MTMA^TM) into Reversing and Non-Reversing dimension change signals for separating expansion from contraction, shrinkage, and stress relaxation

Theory

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) measures material dimensional changes under controlled conditions of force, atmosphere, time, and temperature. In the typical operation of a TMA, a small sample with parallel and flat surfaces is placed on a quartz stage near a thermocouple. A quartz probe is lowered against the specimen with a constant applied force. As the sample is heated or cooled, changes in dimension are measured by monitoring the motion of the quartz probe.

Meeting and exceeding industry standards* for testing, the Discovery TMA 450 provides information about the material’s coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE), shrinkage, softening, glass transition temperature, heat deflection, and much more.

Advanced tests expand the capabilities of the Discovery TMA 450 to enable scientists and engineers to get the most out of their data and their instrument investment.

The three most commonly used experiments are included on the Discovery TMA 450 as standard tests; these include the temperature ramp, force ramp and isostrain test templates.

Temperature Ramp | Monitor Displacement or Strain

Force is held constant and displacement is monitored under a linear temperature ramp to provide intrinsic property measurements.

Force Ramp | Monitor Displacement or Strain

Force is ramped and resulting strain is measured at constant temperature to generate force/displacement plots and modulus assessment.

Isostrain | Monitor Force

Strain is held constant and the force required to maintain the strain is monitored under a temperature ramp.This permits assessment of shrinkage forces in materials such as films/fibers.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

The most common property measured on a TMA is the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) per international standards documented in ASTM E831, D969, D3380 and ISO 11359 Parts 1-3. The CTE describes the mechanical expansion or contraction of a material at different temperatures. It is an important property of a material, and neglecting to take into account the effect temperature has on the physical size of materials has been known to cause product failures and delamination. The mean coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is calculated as:

where α is the mean coefficient of thermal expansion, ∆L is the expansion of the specimen (mm) over a specified temperature range, L0 is the initial specimen length (mm), and ∆T is the temperature change (ºC) through the test. The CTE of a material is temperature dependent, and α is a reported mean for a particular temperature range.

Distortion Temperature in 3-Point Bending

Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) and Deflection Temperature Under Load (DTUL) are equivalent terms that reflect the temperature at which a material subjected to a 3-point bending load deforms to a pre-determined position. The actual force applied to the sample and the amount of deflection required depend upon the sample geometry.

ASTM standard E2092, and a related standard D648, defines DTUL as the temperature at which a precise strain (either 0.25 mm deflection or 0.20% strain as defined by sample dimensions in the procedure*) occurs under a specific stress (either 455 or 1820 kPa). With the TMA, the loads (force) needed to achieve these stresses can be determined using the equation listed below.

where F is the force (N), S is stress (0.455 MPa [66 psi] or 1.82 MPa [264 psi]), b is the sample width (mm), d is the sample thickness (mm), and L is the sample length (5.08 mm as defined by the flexure probe geometry).

The deflection of the test specimen is recorded as a function of temperature at which the predetermined level of strain is observed. The deflection or dimension change is determined using the relationship in the equation shown below.

where D is the TMA dimension change at center span (mm) and r is Sample strain (0.0020 or 0.20%).

Deflection temperature under load (DTUL) testing is easily conducted on the Discovery 450 TMA. Polystyrene, polysulfone, and polyphenylene sulfide were tested using the three-point flexure probe with a 0.455 MPa (66psi) load, 0.2% strain, and 2°C/min heating. The DTUL measurements of these materials distinguish between their ability to bare a load at elevated temperatures and determine the temperature where rigidity is lost. The deflection temperature of a material can be modified through reformulation with compatible resins and fiber reinforcement. DTUL tests with small specimens are quick and easily conducted on the Discovery TMA 450.

Calculated values for experimental force and dimensional change at center span when using conditions of 0.455 MPa stress, 0.2% strain, and a heating rate of 2°C/min.

Intrinsic and Product Property Measurements

This figure shows expansion and penetration probe measurements of the Tg and the softening point of a synthetic rubber using a temperature ramp at constant applied force. The large CTE changes in the expansion plot indicate the transition temperatures. In penetration, the transitions are detected by the sharp deflection of the probe into the sample.

Penetration & Hemispherical

Softening Temperature (Ts) Determination

The penetration fixture was used to test polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS), an amorphous thermoplastic blend, at a controlled heating rate of 5 °C/min and a constant force of 0.2 N. Conditions outlined in ASTM E1545 and ISO 11359 were followed in the assignment of the softening temperature/glass transition by penetration. The softening points are easily detected as a negative deflection in dimension change, and individual softening points were observed for each component of this blend.

Thermal Stress Analysis of Fibers

This figure displays a tensile test experiment, using a temperature ramp at a constant strain (1%), to perform a stress analysis on a polyolefin fiber, as received, and after cold drawing. The plot shows the forces needed to maintain the set strain as a function of temperature. The data has been correlated with key fiber industry processing parameters, such as shrink force, draw temperature, draw ratio, elongation at break, and knot strength..

Shrinkage Force Testing

This figure illustrates a classic shrinkage force (isostrain) experiment in the tensile mode on a food wrapping film. The film was strained to 20% at room temperature for 5 minutes, cooled to -50 °C and held for more than 5 minutes, then heated at 5 °C/min to 75 °C. The plot shows the force variation (shrinkage force) required to maintain a set strain in the film. This test simulates film use from freezer to the microwave.

Stress/Strain Tests

Stress or strain is ramped, and the resulting strain or stress is measured at a constant temperature. Using customer-entered sample geometry factors, the data provides both stress/strain plots and related modulus information. In addition, calculated modulus can be displayed as a function of stress, strain, temperature, or time.

Creep and Stress Relaxation

TMA can also measure viscoelastic properties using transient (creep or stress relaxation) tests. In a creep experiment, input stress is held constant, and resulting strain is monitored as a function of time. In a stress relaxation experiment, input strain is held constant, and stress decay is measured as a function of time. The data can also be displayed in units of compliance (creep test) and stress relaxation modulus (stress relaxation test).

Modulated TMA™ (MTMA™)

TA’s industry-leading Modulated TMATM efficiently separates simultaneous expansion and contraction in a material. Through deconvolution of the total dimensional change, an event such as the glass transition occurring in the same temperature region as stress relaxation is easily revealed. In Modulated TMATM (MTMA^TM), the sample experiences the combined effects of a sinusoidal temperature oscillation overlaid on the traditional linear ramp. The output signals (after Fourier transformation of the raw data) are total displacement and the change in thermal expansion coefficient.

Modulated TMA separates the total displacement into Reversing and Non-Reversing dimensional change signals. The reversing signal contains events attributable to dimension changes and is useful in detecting related events such as the Tg. The non-reversing signal contains events that relate to timedependent kinetic processes (e.g., stress relaxation). This technique is unique to the TA Instruments Discovery TMA 450EM.

Dynamic TMA Tests

In Dynamic TMA (DTMA), a sinusoidal force and linear temperature ramp are applied to the sample (Figure A), and the resulting sinusoidal strain and sine wave phase difference (δ) are measured (Figure B). From this data, storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (E”), and tan δ (E”/E’) are calculated as functions of temperature, time, or stress (Figure C). Dynamic TMA enables the scientist or engineer to obtain the viscoelastic behavior of materials.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Film Tensile Testing

The figure above displays a strain ramp experiment at a constant temperature on a polymeric film in tension. The plot shows an extensive region where stress and strain are linearly related, and over which a tensile modulus can be directly determined. Quantitative modulus data can also be plotted as a function of stress, strain, time, or temperature. The results show the ability of the TMA 450EM to function as a mini tensile tester for films and fibers.

Fiber Stress/Strain Measurements

Stress/strain measurements are widely used to assess and compare materials. The figure shows the different regions of stress/strain behavior in a 25 μm polyamide fiber in tension, subjected to a force ramp at a constant temperature. The fiber undergoes instantaneous deformation, retardation, linear stress/strain response, and yield elongation. Other parameters (e.g., yield stress, Young’s modulus) can be determined.

Creep Analysis

Creep tests are valuable in materials selection for applications where stress changes are anticipated. This example illustrates an ambient temperature creep study on a polyethylene film in tension. It reveals the instantaneous deformation, retardation, and linear regions of strain response to the set stress, plus its recovery with time, at zero stress. The data can also be plotted as compliance, and recoverable compliance, versus time.

Stress Relaxation Analysis

This figure shows a stress relaxation test in tension on the same polyolefin film used for the creep study in the previous example. A known strain is applied to the film and maintained while its change in stress is monitored. The plot shows a typical decay in the stress relaxation modulus. Such tests also help engineers design materials for end uses where changes in deformation can be expected.

Separating Overlapping Transitions – Modulated TMA

The figure to the right shows an MTMA study to determine the Tg of a printed circuit board (PCB). The signals plotted are the total dimension change, plus its reversing and non-reversing components. The total signal is identical to that from standard TMA, but does not uniquely define the Tg. The component signals, however, clearly separate the actual Tg from the stress relaxation event induced by processing conditions of the PCB.

Viscoelastic Property Determination – Dynamic TMA

This figure illustrates a dynamic test in which a semi-crystalline polyethylene terephthate (PET) film in tension is subjected to a fixed sinusoidal force during a linear temperature ramp. The resulting strain and phase data are used to calculate the material’s viscoelastic properties (e.g., E’, E”, and tan δ). The plotted data shows dramatic modulus changes as the film is heated through its glass transition temperature.