Introduction:

• Thermal analysis is a branch of materials science where the properties of materials are studied as they change with temperature.

• There are several methods used commonly and are distinguished from each other by the property which is measured.

• Differential thermal analysis (DTA) - measures the difference in temperature

• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) -measures the heat difference

• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) - measures change in mass

• Dielectric thermal analysis (DEA): dielectric permittivity and loss factor

• Dilatometry (DIL): Change in volume

• Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) : mechanical stiffness and damping

• Evolved gas analysis (EGA) : gaseous decomposition products

• Laser flash analysis (LFA): thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity

• Thermomechanical analysis (TMA): dimension

• Thermo-optical analysis (TOA): optical properties

• In advanced level, simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) refers to the simultaneous application of two different measurements to one and the same sample in a single run. In STA, the test conditions are perfectly identical for obtaining two signals, i.e., same atmosphere, gas flow rate, vapor pressure of the sample, heating rate, thermal contact to the sample crucible and sensor, radiation effect, etc., providing correlatable results from different measurements for the same samples.