Introduction: What is TGA Analysis and Why It Matters
What is TGA Analysis? It stands for Thermogravimetric Analysis — a helpful testing method used to see how materials change in weight when heated over time. It’s used across many industries to check product stability, find moisture or solvents, and understand how materials react to heat. In this article, you’ll learn how TGA works, why it matters, and how it’s used in real-world industries.
TGA analysis plays a key role in improving product safety, meeting industry regulations, and enhancing research accuracy. By observing how materials behave under controlled heating, companies can make smarter decisions during product development, testing, and quality control. Understanding what is TGA analysis helps both scientists and engineers solve real-world challenges more effectively.
At ResolveMass Laboratories Inc. in Montreal, Canada, we use highly accurate TGA testing methods. Our work supports research, product development, and industry regulations by providing reliable thermal data for materials.
How TGA Analysis Works: The Basics
TGA involves heating a small sample while it’s placed on a very sensitive scale inside a furnace. As the temperature increases, the sample might lose weight due to evaporation, decomposition, or chemical reactions. This weight change is tracked and shown on a graph, which helps scientists understand what’s happening inside the material. Each step in the process provides valuable information about the thermal behavior and structural integrity of the sample.
The weight loss curve allows experts to find out when a material starts to break down, how much moisture or filler it contains, and how long it can remain stable under heat. This makes TGA analysis an essential part of product design and quality control.
Applications of TGA Analysis in Real Industries
TGA is used in many sectors to improve materials and meet safety standards. Here are some common uses:
- Polymers: Analyze degradation and check filler levels
- Pharmaceuticals: Track moisture, shelf-life, and drug stability
- Batteries: Study thermal safety and composition of battery parts
- Rubber and Composites: Measure carbon black and detect impurities
- Food and Packaging: Monitor moisture levels and predict expiration dates
Each of these uses helps companies make better, safer, and longer-lasting products.
Key Principles Behind What is TGA Analysis
Controlled Heating Process
TGA testing often uses a constant heating rate, like 10°C per minute. This ensures that changes in weight are consistent and easy to track. It also helps repeat the test with the same results every time, which is important in research and quality control. By using a steady temperature increase, scientists can pinpoint exactly when thermal events like melting, decomposition, or evaporation occur. This consistency is essential for comparing different materials or formulations under the same conditions.
Special Gas Environments
TGA can be done using different gases like nitrogen, argon, or oxygen. Using these gases helps us see how materials react in different conditions, such as in air or without oxygen. This gives a clearer picture of how the material behaves in real life. For example, using oxygen can simulate burning or oxidation, while nitrogen helps observe thermal stability without chemical reactions. Choosing the right gas allows for more precise and targeted testing based on the product’s application.
Micro-Level Accuracy
The balance used in TGA is extremely sensitive and can detect even tiny weight changes. This is especially helpful for industries like pharmaceuticals or aerospace, where even small changes can make a big difference in safety and performance. It allows for accurate analysis using just a small amount of sample, making it both cost-effective and efficient. Such precision is crucial when testing expensive or limited-quantity materials that require high-stakes evaluation.
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Types of TGA Analysis Methods
Isothermal TGA
In this method, the temperature stays the same for a period of time. It helps see how stable a material is over long periods when exposed to steady heat. This is especially useful for testing long-term degradation or evaporation behavior in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and food products. Isothermal TGA is ideal when simulating real-world storage or operational conditions where temperature remains constant.
Dynamic TGA
Here, the temperature is slowly increased. This is helpful to find the exact point where a material melts, burns, or decomposes. It provides a full thermal breakdown profile, allowing researchers to identify all the major transitions as the material heats up. Dynamic TGA is one of the most commonly used methods for thermal screening and comparing different materials.
DTG (Derivative Thermogravimetry)
This technique looks at the rate of weight loss. It shows more detailed steps in reactions, especially for complex materials that go through multiple changes. By analyzing the speed of weight loss at each point, DTG can uncover overlapping processes that may not be clear in regular TGA curves. It’s often used in advanced research to break down multi-stage thermal reactions with high precision.
Interested in transition temperatures? Learn more at:
👉 DSC Glass Transition Analysis – Accurate Tg Detection
Industrial Examples of What is TGA Analysis
In Pharmaceuticals
TGA helps in checking the shelf life of medicines, how stable they are, and how they lose moisture over time. This is key in making sure medicines work well and are safe for patients.
👉 DSC Analysis in a Pharmaceutical Case Study
In Plastic and Polymer Production
Manufacturers use TGA to check for leftover solvents, filler content, and the point where materials begin to break down. This improves product performance and consistency.
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In Battery Research
TGA is used to study how battery parts behave under heat. It ensures safety by helping design batteries that are stable and less likely to fail or overheat.
In Food and Agriculture
This technique measures how much moisture is in food, whether packaging holds up under heat, and how long a product might last. These results help improve food quality and packaging standards.
Why Choose ResolveMass Laboratories for TGA Analysis?
At ResolveMass Laboratories, we use high-end instruments and follow global standards like ISO for accurate, reliable results. Our experienced scientists provide custom reports tailored to your product and industry. Whether you’re in pharma, polymers, batteries, or food—our team helps bring your innovation to life with trustworthy TGA analysis services.
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Comparing TGA with DSC Analysis
TGA checks weight changes, while DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) measures heat flow during heating or cooling. When used together, they give a full thermal picture of a material. For example, TGA shows when something burns or breaks down, while DSC shows when it melts or solidifies. This combined data is especially useful for complex materials that undergo both physical and chemical changes. Using both methods helps researchers and engineers make more accurate predictions about product behavior and performance under heat.
Together, these tools help scientists and engineers make smarter, safer material choices. For a deeper dive into how TGA compares to DSC, visit our guide:
👉 DSC vs. TGA – A Simple Comparison Guide
Conclusion – The Future of TGA Analysis
What is TGA Analysis? It’s not just a scientific term—it’s a critical tool in today’s manufacturing and research industries. It helps companies design safer, more efficient, and more reliable products. From lab testing to product launch, TGA analysis supports innovation at every step. By understanding how materials respond to heat, businesses can reduce risks, meet regulations, and speed up development cycles. As industries continue to evolve, the role of TGA in quality assurance and product performance will only grow more important.
At ResolveMass Laboratories, we continue to help clients meet their goals through accurate and expert thermal testing.
Looking to partner with a trusted thermal analysis lab?
📞 Contact us today
FAQs – What is TGA Analysis and Common Questions
The principle of TGA is based on measuring the change in a material’s weight as it is heated over time. When the sample is exposed to heat, it may lose or gain mass due to processes like evaporation, decomposition, or oxidation. These weight changes help understand the material’s thermal stability and composition.
The three main types of TGA are Dynamic TGA, Isothermal TGA, and DTG (Derivative Thermogravimetry). Dynamic TGA increases temperature over time, isothermal keeps the temperature constant, and DTG shows how fast the weight changes. Each type gives different insights depending on the material and goal of testing.
TGA is analysed by studying the weight-loss curve recorded during the heating process. The curve shows how the sample’s mass changes with temperature or time. By looking at key points, such as sudden drops in weight, experts can identify thermal events like moisture loss, decomposition, or oxidation.
A typical TGA test can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the heating rate, final temperature, and the nature of the sample. If multiple steps or slow heating is used, the test may take longer. Shorter tests are often used for routine checks.
Mass change in TGA is calculated by subtracting the final weight of the sample from its starting weight, then expressing the result as a percentage. For example, if a sample starts at 100 mg and ends at 80 mg, the mass loss is 20%. This helps identify the amount of moisture, filler, or other volatile components.
TGA is primarily a quantitative method because it measures exact weight changes during heating. However, it can also give qualitative information about thermal events and reaction behavior. When combined with other tests, it provides a full picture of a material’s thermal properties.
Several factors can affect TGA results, including heating rate, sample size, gas environment, and material properties. Even the placement of the sample in the pan can influence the accuracy. Controlling these factors is important to get reliable and repeatable results.
Common gases used in TGA include nitrogen, argon, oxygen, and air. Inert gases like nitrogen or argon prevent oxidation and allow pure thermal study, while reactive gases like oxygen help observe how materials burn or degrade in air. The gas type depends on the goal of the test.
