Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is introduced as a technique to measure the changes in mass of a material as it is heated. Key points made in the document include:
- TGA is commonly used to assess the thermal stability and determine the composition of polymers. It measures the mass of a sample as it is heated in a controlled atmosphere.
- Common factors analyzed from TGA curves include the shape, temperatures of mass changes, and magnitudes of mass changes. Temperature of initial degradation and 5% mass loss are used to compare thermal stability.
- Polymers typically undergo degradation through mechanisms like decomposition, desorption, or oxidation, which result in mass changes. TGA can be used