Thermogravimetric analyzer for multi disciplinary research

材料的热降解可以通过测量样品的重量变化作为温度的函数来研究。热重分析仪（TGA）是用来获得这些信息的仪器。TGA测试数据的结果可用于表征聚合物的热稳定性或量化材料中挥发物的水平。它也可用于研究生物质的气化和热解。本提案中要求的TGA将位于机械工程系的麦吉尔复合材料和结构实验室。TGA将用于测量高级复合材料中使用的热固性和热塑性聚合物的热稳定性。TGA还将成为评估用于多功能聚合物基复合材料的碳纳米管纯度和质量的主要测试设备。TGA还将由土木工程系的一名研究人员用于研究土壤环境中使用的土工合成增强材料的热降解。

Materials thermal degradation can be studied by measuring the weight variation of a sample as a function of temperature.  A thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) is the instrument used to obtain this information.  Results from TGA test data can be used to characterize the thermal stability of polymers or to quantify the level of volatiles in a material. It can also be used to study biomass gassification and pyrolosis.  The TGA requested in this proposal will be located at the McGill Composite Materials and Structures Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  The TGA will be used to measure the thermal stability of thermoset and thermoplastic polymers used in advanced composite materials.  The TGA will also be the main testing equipment to assess the purity and quality of carbon nanotubes used for multifunctional polymer matrix composites.  The TGA will also be used by a researcher from the Civil Engineering Department for the study of the thermal degradation of geosynthetic reinforcements used in-soil environment.