The TGA System should meet or exceed the following specifications: ___ Sample weight capacity of 1000 mg ___ Dynamic weighing precision of 1000 mg ___ Weighing precision of ± 0.01% ___ Dynamic baseline drift (Ambient to 1000°C) of < 10 μg without baseline subtraction or post-test manipulation required on other instruments. ___ Signal resolution of 0.002 μg ___ Sensitivity of < 0.1 μg ___ Temperature range of ambient to 1200 °C ___ Temperature accuracy of ± 1°C ___ Dynamic temperature precision of ± 1°C ___ Isothermal temperature precision of ± 0.1°C ___ Linear heating rate of 0.1 to 500°C/min in 0.01°C/min increments ___ Forced cooling (air/nitrogen) of 1000°C to 35°C in < 10 min. ___ The TGA should employ a vertical null-balance design for accurate, precise and reliable weighing of samples. It is well insulated, electrically grounded, separately gas purged, and thermally isolated from the furnace. ___ Furnace should have an internal quartz liner to allow operation as an evolved gas analysis furnace to tolerate decomposition product from heating, or equivalent design to prevent products from adhering to internal furnace features ___ The furnace should use infrared heating with a ceramic IR absorber for rapid response to control ___ The TGA should automatically record initial sample weight. ___ The TGA should include a 25 position autosampler for automated sample loading and unloading. The sample loading/unloading does not disturb the balance. Software includes an auto-tare feature to tare each pan unattended. The autosampler should include automated pan punching. Software Capabilities: ___ Control multiple instruments with a single PC and software package, includes both TGA and DSC instruments. ___ Allow for unlimited installations on multiple computers for data analysis and data processing. ___ Allow exporting of data via pdf files ___ Advanced Analysis Capabilities: ___ Activation energy determination with Modulated TGA™ ___ Decomposition kinetics as obtained from constant or dynamic heating rate, and constant reaction rate experiments ___ DTA signal for endothermic and exothermic thermal events such as melting, crystallization, cure reactions and decomposition ___ Advanced custom analysis with user-defined variables and models ___ Include software-based kinetics analysis (for methods such as Flynn-Wall analysis) to facilitate the analysis of time and temperature dependent processes (for ASTM standards such as E537, E698, E1231, E1641, E2041 & E2070), allowing for the determination of kinetic parameters, such as activation energy, reaction order and half-life. Installation, Training, & Support: ___ Installation of the instrument and training for faculty/staff/students as appropriate to use all of the features of the instrument (basic operational training) ___ Installation should include calibration of all relevant sensors on the instrument ___ An academic support plan (two years beyond purchase warranty) covering access to training courses, remote diagnostics, service parts, labor and travel. This plan should cover all accessories and include at least a 10% discount on consumables purchased.
