Overview

Generating high quality data on thermal analyzers and rheometers requires an understanding of the instrument and specifications, available experimental techniques and design, proper sample preparation practices, and effective analysis and presentation of the information. TA Instruments is proud to offer training seminars focused on strategies for a systematic approach to getting the most accurate information from your instruments. Watch and learn how to sharpen your skills and avoid common errors.

 

Who should watch?

These training seminars are designed for scientists, chemists, technicians, and managers with any level of familiarity with thermal analysis and/or rheology instrumentation. The information presented will be helpful for those who run equipment day-to-day, manage their use, or simply rely on thermal or rheological data. Users of all makes and models of instrument will benefit from the training.

Videos by Category

Part 1: Instrument Fundamentals and Sample Preparation

Data are only meaningful if they are collected as part of a well-designed, well-understood experiment. This session will introduce and provide guidelines for the appropriate selection of experimental parameters and will help the viewer to understand what experiment types may be most informative for them.

  • Basic Method Development Guidelines
    • Temperature Range and Cycling
    • Heating and Cooling Rate
    • Purge Gas
  • Advanced Thermal Analysis Methods
    • Heat Capacity
    • Modulated DSC (MDSC™)
    • HiRes™ TGA
    • Reaction Kinetics by DSC and TGA, including MTGA™
    • Vapor Sorption
    • Evolved Gas Analysis by Mass Spectroscopy

Part 2: Efficient and Effective Method Development

Data are only meaningful if they are collected as part of a well-designed, well-understood experiment. This session will introduce and provide guidelines for the appropriate selection of experimental parameters and will help the viewer to understand what experiment types may be most informative for them.

  • Basic Method Development Guidelines
    • Temperature Range and Cycling
    • Heating and Cooling Rate
    • Purge Gas
  • Advanced Thermal Analysis Methods
    • Heat Capacity
    • Modulated DSC (MDSC™)
    • HiRes™ TGA
    • Reaction Kinetics by DSC and TGA, including MTGA™
    • Vapor Sorption
    • Evolved Gas Analysis by Mass Spectroscopy

Part 3: Tips for Data Reduction and Presentation

Once collected, high quality thermal analysis data leads to high quality conclusions through effective analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

  • Presentation
    • Proper Scaling for Normalized Sensitivity
    • Using Derivatives to Define Limits of Analysis
    • Effective use of Overlay Plots
  • Interpretation: Correlation to Structure-Property Relationships
    • Thermal Stability
    • Thermoset Structure Development
    • The Glass Transition
    • Amorphous Aging
    • Crystallinity
  • Avoid Misinterpretation of Artifacts and Unexpected Events
  • Additional Software and Training Resources