POLYMER STUDIES BY SIMULTANEOUS THERMAL-ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES

Simultaneous thermal analysis techniques (notably TG-DSC and TG-DTA) offer many clear advantages over techniques conducted singly. The advantages are enumerated. A more complete thermal profile is provided when a thermal analyser is coupled to some form of gas analyser such as a mass spectrometer or a FTIR analyser. A brief description of the instrumentation is given, with particular reference to the interface in the case of coupled instrumentation since the coupled instruments each need to operate under optimum conditions. Interface design is therefore critical in enabling this and allowing rapid transfer while not degrading the species being transferred. A number of polymer studies, including the thermal behaviour of uncured polyimide resin, polytetrafluoroethylene and polybutadiene, are discussed.