Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Its Importance

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a well-established technique for studying how a material’s mass changes when heated under controlled conditions. These weight changes provide valuable information about moisture, volatile matter, ash content, decomposition, oxidation, and other thermal processes. Because many materials release or retain compounds differently at specific temperatures, TGA offers a direct and reliable way to evaluate composition and behavior.

TGA is used in a wide range of applications, including:

  • Soils and sediments – assess organic matter, moisture, and carbonate content for environmental and agricultural testing.
  • Ores and minerals – quantify volatile phases, beneficiation efficiency, and loss on ignition (LOI).
  • Cement and clinker – control raw material quality, monitor kiln stability, and determine LOI.
  • Waste and by-products – analyze combustion residues, treatment performance, and environmental compliance.
  • Food and feed – determine moisture, ash, and volatiles for quality and nutritional analysis.
  • Water treatment – evaluate solid residues, sludge, and treatment efficiency.
  • Plastics and polymers – study decomposition behavior, filler content, and thermal stability.

Multi-Sample, Multi-Stage TGA from Navas Instruments

While conventional TGA systems often process a single sample at a time, the multi-sample, multi-stage thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) from Navas Instruments is designed to handle multiple crucibles simultaneously. Programmable temperature stages replicate and extend traditional furnace methods, allowing parameters such as moisture, volatile matter, ash, and LOI to be determined in a single automated workflow.

Integrated weighing captures precise mass changes throughout the analysis, while automated data collection ensures accuracy and full traceability. Results can be exported directly to Excel or LIMS, simplifying reporting and integration into laboratory workflows.

Advantages for Laboratories

  • Improves efficiency – process multiple samples in one run.
  • Enhances reproducibility – reduce operator influence and variability.
  • Increases productivity – automate weighing, heating, and data recording.
  • Supports diverse applications – soils, ores, cement, waste, food, feed, water treatment, plastics, and more.

See how our multi-sample, multi-stage thermogravimetric analyzer modernizes TGA workflows for faster, more accurate, and more reliable results across a wide range of applications