Thermogravimetric Testing of Plastics

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a key technique for evaluating the thermal stability and composition of plastics and polymers. By monitoring weight changes in one or multiple samples as they are heated through programmable temperature stages, laboratories can determine properties such as moisture, volatile content, decomposition behavior, filler loading, and ash content. This information is critical for quality control, product development, and understanding how materials perform under heat or oxidative conditions.

For plastics, TGA helps identify degradation temperatures, oxidation stability, and combustion behavior. It also provides insights into the content of additives, reinforcing fillers, and residues—making it an essential tool in both research and industrial production.

Advanced Plastic Testing with Navas Instruments TGA

The multi-sample, multi-stage thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) from Navas Instruments goes beyond conventional systems. In addition to delivering core results such as moisture, volatile matter, ash, and LOI, our instrument automatically records:

  • All weights measured continuously during heating
  • All temperatures across the programmed stages
  • All times linked to each weight and temperature point

This complete dataset is exported directly into Excel spreadsheets, giving laboratories full traceability and easy analysis.

High-Speed Continuous Mode

While designed for multi-sample throughput, the instrument can also be used in single-sample continuous mode for specialized studies. In this mode, the balance can record up to 10 weight points per second (configurable from every 0.1 second up to 1 second or longer). This makes it possible to capture rapid events—such as explosive decomposition in plastics—and analyze the precise behavior of the material under extreme conditions.

Benefits for Plastic and Polymer Analysis

  • Multi-sample automation – high throughput for routine testing.
  • Single-sample continuous mode – high-speed resolution for specialized studies.
  • Comprehensive data export – all weights, temperatures, and times in Excel for each sample.
  • Improved reproducibility – reduced variability compared to manual testing.
  • Flexible applications – suitable for plastics, composites, additives, and more.

See how the multi-sample, multi-stage thermogravimetric analyzer from Navas Instruments combines throughput, precision, and high-speed data recording to transform plastic and polymer analysis