Thermal study of an organic sample (glass transition, melting, crystallinity rate, etc.),

The thermal study of an organic sample allows for the characterization of the behavior of a material or compound as a function of temperature. Performed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/TGA), this analysis is used to determine major physical and chemical transitions such as the glass transition (Tg), melting (Tm), crystallinity, thermal stability, and decomposition.

It applies to a wide variety of matrices — polymers, natural extracts, resins, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical formulations — and is an essential tool for quality control, R&D and characterization of organic materials.

Principles and objectives of thermal analysis

DSC and TGA techniques measure the energy and mass changes that occur when a material is subjected to a temperature-controlled program.
They allow us to:

• Determine the glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm);
• Evaluate the degree of crystallinity of a polymer or formulation;
• Measure thermal stability and decomposition temperature;
• Analyze endothermic and exothermic reactions (melting, oxidation, polymerization, evaporation, etc.);
• Compare the quality, purity or compatibility between different batches or formulations.

This data is crucial for understanding the behavior of the material during transformation processes, storage or end use.

Analytical methods used

• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) : This method measures the heat fluxes absorbed or released by a sample during a thermal cycle. It allows for the identification of phase transitions (glassing, crystallization, melting) and the evaluation of the purity or compatibility of components.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA / TGA) : it measures the variation in mass of a sample as a function of temperature or time, to determine the volatile content, the rate of degradation or the thermal stability.

These two methods are often used in a complementary to obtain a complete view of the thermal behavior of the material.

Industrial applications

Thermal studies are used in many fields:

• Polymers and packaging : control of the stability, crystallinity and temperature of use of plastic materials;
• Composite materials : evaluation of phase compatibility and thermal resistance;
• Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals : study of the stability of active ingredients and excipients;
• Nutraceuticals and natural extracts : analysis of the thermal decomposition of bioactive compounds;
• Research and development : characterization of new polymers, additives or functional formulations.

These analyses make it possible to optimize industrial processes, ensure regulatory compliance and improve the durability of finished products.

Technical characteristics and quality of results

DSC and TGA tests are performed according to international standards ISO 11357 and ISO 11358 , ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of the results.
Commonly measured parameters include:

• Transition temperatures (Tg, Tm, Tc);
• Enthalpies of fusion or crystallization;
• Volatile matter or ash content;
• Thermal stability (Td).

The analyses are carried out by partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 , guaranteeing traceability , metrological quality and COFRAC compliance of the data.

YesWeLab Expertise and Support

YesWeLab provides you with a network of laboratories specializing in thermal and physicochemical analyses , covering all your organic material characterization needs.
Our digital platform allows you to easily manage your analysis requests, track your samples, and view your results.

Our engineers will guide you towards the most suitable method according to your objectives (identification, quality control, stability or R&D) and the type of material being studied (polymer, formulation, natural extract, etc.).

Further analyses recommended

To complete the thermal characterization of your materials, YesWeLab recommends:

• FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy
• Raman spectroscopy
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

These services offer a complete characterization of the thermal and structural behavior of materials, essential to guarantee the reliability, durability and performance of industrial products.