lämpöanalyyysi

Lämpöanalyysi, often translated as thermal analysis, is a group of techniques used to measure the physical and chemical properties of materials as a function of temperature or time. These techniques involve monitoring a property of the material while it is subjected to a controlled temperature program. The resulting data, often presented as a thermogram, can reveal information about phase transitions, chemical reactions, decomposition, and other thermal events.

Commonly used thermal analysis methods include Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA). DSC measures the heat flow into or out of a sample as it is heated or cooled, identifying exothermic and endothermic processes. TGA measures the change in mass of a sample as a function of temperature, useful for studying decomposition, oxidation, or dehydration. TMA measures dimensional changes in a sample under a controlled force as a function of temperature, providing information about thermal expansion, softening points, and glass transitions.

The applications of thermal analysis are broad, spanning materials science, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and geology. It is used for material characterization, quality control, research and development, and failure analysis. By understanding how materials behave under varying temperatures, scientists and engineers can optimize material properties, predict performance, and ensure product safety and reliability. The interpretation of thermal analysis data often requires comparison with known standards and complementary analytical techniques.