Thermal Methods Of Polymer Analysis

This book reviews the various thermal methods used for the characterisation of polymer properties and composition. All these methods study the properties of polymers as they change with temperature. The methods discussed in this book are: differential photocalorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric thermal analysis, differential thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, evolved gas analysis, gas chromatography, gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry, microthermal analysis, thermal volatilisation, thermogravimetric analysis and thermomechanical analysis. Each technique is discussed in detail and examples of the use of each technique are also given. Each chapter has an extensive list of references so that the reader can follow up topics of interest. This book will be a useful reference for those who already use any of these thermal methods but will also be of interest to undergraduates and those who are just starting to use these techniques.

Presents a solid introduction to thermal analysis, methods, instrumentation, calibration, and application along with the necessary theoretical background. Useful to chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and engineers who are new to thermal analysis techniques, and to existing users of thermal analysis who wish expand their experience to new techniques and applications Topics covered include Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis (DSC/DTA), Thermogravimetry, Thermomechanical Analysis and Dilatometry, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Micro-Thermal Analysis, Hot Stage Microscopy, and Instrumentation. Written by experts in the various areas of thermal analysis Relevant and detailed experiments and examples follow each chapter.

Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Atoms, small, and large molecules 2 Basics of thermal analysis 3 Dynamics of chemical and phase changes 4 Thermal analysis tools 5 Structure and properties of materials 6 Single component materials 7 Multiple component materials App. A.1 Table of thermal properties of linear macromolecules and related small molecules - the ATHAS data bank App. A.2 Radiation scattering App. A.3 Derivation of the Rayleigh ratio App. A.4 Neural network predictions App. A.5 Legendre transformations, Maxwell relations, linking of entropy and probability, and derivation of (dS/dT) App. A.6 Boltzmann distribution, harmonic vibration, complex numbers, and normal modes App. A.7 Summary of the basic kinetics of chemical reactions App. A.8 The ITS 1990 and the Krypton-86 length standard App. A.9 Development of classical DTA to DSC App. A.10 Examples of DTA and DSC under extreme conditions App. A.11 Description of an online correction of the heat-flow rate App. A.12 Derivation of the heat-flow equations App. A.13 Description of sawtooth-modulation response App. A.14 An introduction to group theory, definitions of configurations and conformations, and a summary of rational and irrational numbers App. A.15 Summary of birefringence and polarizing microscopy App. A.16 Summary of X-ray diffraction and interference effects App. A.17 Optical analog of electron double diffraction to produce Moire patterns.

The techniques which are particularly relevant to polymer characterisation are evaluated in this new report. For each technique the author describes the method of operation and the output obtained, and then considers its application to polymer characterisation. An additional indexed section containing several hundred abstracts from the Rapra Polymer Library database provides useful references for further reading.

Thermal Analysis techniques are used in a wide range of disciplines, from pharmacy and foods to polymer science, materials and glasses; in fact any field where changes in sample behaviour are observed under controlled heating or controlled cooling conditions. The wide range of measurements possible provide fundamental information on the material properties of the system under test, so thermal analysis has found increasing use both in basic characterisation of materials and in a wide range of applications in research, development and quality control in industry and academia. Principles and Applications of Thermal Analysis is written by manufacturers and experienced users of thermal techniques. It provides the reader with sound practical instruction on how to use the techniques and gives an up to date account of the principle industrial applications. By covering basic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) including the new approach of Fast Scanning DSC, together with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA /TMA) methods, then developing the discussion to encompass industrial applications, the book serves as an ideal introduction to the technology for new users. With a strong focus on practical issues and relating the measurements to the physical behaviour of the materials under test, the book will also serve as an important reference for experienced analysts.