Thermomechanical Analysis

Duncan Price
IPTME, Loughborough University
© Copyright: D.M.Price@lboro.ac.uk (2006)
 introduction
Volume is a fundamental thermodynamic
quantity.
Thermal expansivity () is a useful
engineering quantity:
 = (dL/dt)/Lo
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) is the
study of the relationships between a
sample’s length (volume) and its
temperature.
instrumentation
TMA probe types
TMA temperature calibration
thermal expansion of aluminium
printed circuit board
effect of load on TMA measurements
effect of cross linking on TMA penetration
effect of plasticisers
relationship between hardness and
indentation
isothermal creep measurements
measurement of liquids
effect of chemical structure
effect of thermal history
effect of orientation
sample controlled thermodilatometry
dynamic load TMA
 summary

Intrinsic Properties Process Properties Product Classifications

Tg,  & probe displacement cure & crosslinking carbonaceous materials

polymerisation ceramics
viscoelastic properties solvent effects coatings
 Young’s modulus foaming construction materials
 creep phase behaviour composites
 stress relaxation flow modelling dental waxes
 tensile properties crystallisation elastomers
 viscosity drawing effects metals
polymers & copolymers viscosity pharmaceuticals
polymer blends mold stability textiles
polymer morphology plastics
 recommended reading

M. Reading and P.J. Haines; “Thermomechanical, dynamic mechanical and associated

methods” in; P. J. Haines; “Thermal methods of analysis: Principles, Applications and
Problems” Blackie, London (1995) pp.123-160.

A. T. Riga and C. M. Neag (Editors); “Materials Characterization by Thermomechanical

Analysis”, ASTM STP 1136, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia
(1991).

D. M. Price, “Thermomechanical and Thermoelectrical Methods”, in P.J. Haines (ed.)

Principles of Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry, ch. 4, Royal Society of Chemistry,
Cambridge (2002) pp. 94-128.