Category: English • NETZSCH – the Thermal Analysis Blog

How to use TGA for the quality control of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers

May 24, 2019May 23, 2019 by Milena Riedl

The determination of fiber volume fraction is crucial for the quality control of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) in order to ensure their favorable mechanical and physical properties for the use in aerospace, wind energy and automotive sectors. A new thermogravimetric testing method, published by Dominik Grund in the journal “Polymer Testing”, considers heating rate, analysis atmosphere and sample size to efficiently ensure high quality of the material. This editorial summarizes the steps for the use of TGA in the quality control of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers.

Good Stability Versus Good Tabletability: The Choice of Modification

May 14, 2019 by Claire Strasser

Many pharmaceutical solids exhibit polymorphism, i.e., the ability of a substance to exist in different crystalline forms. The polymorphic form can have significant influence on pharmaceutical processing and can, for example, affect grinding, granulation and tabletability. A DSC measurement allows for the characterization of the present modification. Here, different modifications of paracetamol are distinguished by means of DSC.

Lambda-Measurement and the Fight against Condensing Humidity

May 10, 2019 by Alexander Frenzl

Humidity plays a major role in the quality assurance of insulating materials. Ignorance in dealing with condensation and establishing good measurement conditions can result in unexpected measurement results. This article shows methods, that helps to overcome condensation issues in the quality assurance of thermal insulation materials.

How mechanical properties of polymers change with temperature

May 17, 2019May 7, 2019 by Gaby Stock

Professor Dr Tim. A. Osswald and Dr Tobias Pflock talk about the effect temperature has on the polymer’s properties. The room temperature modulus is often the only value given to describe the mechanical property of a polymer material. But temperature dependence of mechanical performance of polymer material significantly differs to that of other materials such as metals or ceramics and is vital information for many everyday applications of polymers.

How DSC Measurements help with Phase Diagrams – A Possibility for Determining the Composition of a NiAl Alloy

April 30, 2019 by NETZSCH Applications Laboratory

E. Post, J. Blumm

A phase diagram portrays the equilibrium conditions between the thermodynamically separated phases or it shows which phases are present in the material system at different temperatures, pressures and compositions. Thermoanalytical methods play an important role in establishing binary and ternary phase diagrams. They are based on the principle that, when a phase transition occurs, the physical, chemical and/or structural properties change.

Smart Thermal Analysis (Part III): Automatic Evaluation of DIL and TMA Curves

May 20, 2019April 26, 2019 by Dr. Alexander Schindler

AutoEvaluation by NETZSCH is an intelligent software functionality which can automatically and autonomously (not via pre-defined macro!) evaluate thermoanalytical measurement curves. This is not only helpful but also time-saving! AutoEvaluation was introduced for DSC, TGA and STA and is now available also for dL signals from Dilatometer (DIL) and Thermomechanical analyzers (TMA)!

ECerS 2019: Get your own Virtual View into Sintering Processes

April 24, 2019 by Alexander Frenzl

During the ECerS-Conference 2019, NETZSCH presents the software tool “KINETICS NEO”, which is able to simulate the sintering processes of ceramic. This allows process engineers to optimize their firing processes without test-fires in a real kiln. Visitors of the NETZSCH booth have the chance to win the software.

Thermal Interface Materials (TIM): Thermal Conductivity Testing

April 8, 2019 by Alexander Frenzl

Characterization of the thermal performance of thermal interface materials (TIM) used in electronics packaging can be critical to maintaining reliable performance, especially with the rapidly increasing heat dissipation requirements of each new generation of electronic components.
To make routine measurements on TIM’s faster – without the impact of contact resistance, you can rely on Light- or Laser-Flash Methods (ASTM E1461)

How to measure the Thermal Resistance and Thermal Conductivity of Heat Transfer Materials (TIMs) with LFA

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019 by NETZSCH Applications Laboratory

Heat must be dissipated from electronic devices quickly and efficiently to ensure optimal performance and to prevent premature component failure. Like CPUs and GPUs, LED inverters as well as photovoltaic inverters require excellent thermal management. Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are available as greases, tapes, filled elastomer pads and phase-change materials.

By Robert Campbell

How to Test the Efficiency and Purity of Silicon Wafers

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019 by NETZSCH Applications Laboratory

Silicon-based technologies have always played a significant role within the energy industry. They currently dominate the solar energy market with a market share of over 90 percent.
In addition, the continual improvements being made to silicon (e.g., through silicon crystal growth techniques and enhancements to purity, efficiency, etc.) are securing its strong position within the energy industry over the near future.

By Dr. André Lindemann and Dr. Ekkehard Post