Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is located in room 2423 Calit2 Building (building 325 on UCI campus map)

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a method of thermal analysis in which the mass of a sample is measured over time as the temperature changes. This measurement provides information about physical phenomena, such as phase transitions, absorption and desorption; as well as chemical phenomena including chemisorptions, thermal decomposition, and solid-gas reactions (e.g., oxidation or reduction).

The Netzsch 209 F1 Libra thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) has a vacuum-tight furnace and thermobalance that ensures free and safe access to the sample, easy crucible exchange (no hang-down wires or horizontal balance beam), and a constant and stable position for the sample carrier in the furnace. This results in a homogeneous temperature distribution and high sample-to-sample reproducibility. The low-volume furnace of the F1 Libra supports fast heating and cooling rates (200 K/min) between room temperature and 1000°C. The automatic sample changer (ASC) comes with a tray-in-micro­plate format for 64 samples, each which can be quickly inserted and removed. This instrument can take on any routine measurement safely and reliably. The operation software, either SmartMode or ExpertMode, has a clear structure, a consistent navigation design and easy-to-access buttons that are perfect for beginners and professionals. The self-acting analysis software package AutoEvaluation offers autonomous detection and operator-free evaluation of all thermogravimetric effects.

The F1 Libra TGA can be employed for the characterization of almost any material, including polymers, nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals, textiles, foods, cosmetics, and other organic and inorganic materials. It can be used to identify and characterize:

• Mass/density change
• Decomposition temperatures
• Thermal stability
• Compositional analysis
• Oxidation behavior

More info can be found at  Netzsch website or youtube.