The Automation of Thermal Analysis Instrumentation: Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis

Abstract

The automation of the thermal analysis instruments, differential thermal analysis (dta) and the thermobalance, is described. The dta instrument is capable of studying eight individual samples, each contained in a glass capillary tube, in a sequential manner. The samples are automatically introduced into the furnace, pyrolyzed to a preselected temperature limit, and then removed. After cooling the furnace back to room temperature, the cycle is repeated. Operation of the sample changing mechanism, furnace temperature programming, recording, and so on, is completely automatic.

The thermobalance is capable of recording the TG curves of eight samples in a sequential manner. The instrument consists of a recording top-loading balance, a furnace and temperature programmer, and an automatic sample changer. Each sample in the sample holder disk is positioned into the furnace automatically, heated to a preselected temperature, and then removed. After the furnace is cooled back to room temperature, the cycle is repeated with a new sample. Operation of the thermobalance is completely automatic and it requires no operator attention once the cycle is begun.