Thermogravimetric Analysis

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) is a thermal characterization technique that continuously measures mass loss or gain of a material as a function of temperature (or time at constant temperature). Developed systematically by William Wendlandt and colleagues in the 1960s, TGA identifies thermal transitions (evaporation, decomposition, oxidation, reduction) and quantifies composition of polymers, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and other materials. The derivative signal (DTG) highlights transition temperatures. When combined with gas analysis (MS, FTIR), decomposition products are identified.