Which test atmospheres (e.g., N₂, Ar, air) are available for STA measurements?

Standard Atmosphere Options for STA Measurements

Our Simultaneous Thermal Analysis instruments support multiple controlled test environments, accommodating diverse material characterization requirements. The primary available atmospheres include:

Inert Atmospheres:

• Nitrogen (N₂) - Our standard inert atmosphere for most polymer and organic material analysis

• Argon (Ar) - Preferred for metal powder analysis and high-temperature applications where nitrogen might react

Reactive Atmospheres:

• Synthetic Air - Standard oxidizing environment for combustion studies and oxidation resistance evaluation

• Oxygen - Pure oxidizing atmosphere for determining oxidative stability

Specialized Atmospheres:

• Carbon Dioxide - For specific reaction studies and certain industrial process simulations

• Reducing gases - Hydrogen-containing mixtures available for specialized applications

• Vacuum - For measuring intrinsic material properties without atmospheric interference

Application-Specific Atmosphere Selection

Additive Manufacturing Materials Characterization

For materials used in Powder Bed Fusion processes, we typically employ an argon atmosphere to prevent oxidation during analysis of metal powders such as Aluminum Alloys and Titanium alloys. This approach accurately simulates the actual manufacturing environment, providing relevant data for process optimization. For polymer materials, including Plastics and Resins used in Vat Photopolymerization, a nitrogen atmosphere effectively prevents oxidative degradation while characterizing thermal properties.

High-Performance Material Evaluation

For Superalloy analysis and components with Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC), we utilize both inert and oxidizing atmospheres to evaluate performance under different service conditions. This dual approach is particularly valuable for Aerospace and Aviation applications where materials must withstand both inert high-altitude environments and oxidative conditions during operation. The controlled atmosphere capability also enables simulation of Heat Treatment environments for process development.

Technical Specifications and Customization

Atmosphere Control Precision

Our STA systems maintain precise atmosphere control with flow rates typically between 20-100 mL/min, ensuring consistent thermal conductivity and reaction conditions throughout experiments. Gas switching capabilities enable sophisticated experimental protocols, including initial inert atmosphere pyrolysis followed by oxidative combustion of residues. This flexibility supports the comprehensive characterization of complex materials such as Ceramic-polymer composites or metal-organic frameworks.

Custom Atmosphere Configurations

For specialized research requirements, we can implement custom gas mixtures with specific composition ratios. All atmosphere systems incorporate high-purity gas supplies with appropriate filtration to prevent contamination, ensuring data integrity for sensitive applications in Medical and Healthcare material development, as well as innovations in the energy and Power sector.