Thermal Analysis Laboratory

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The Thermal Analysis Lab provides access to advanced scientific instrumentation for the measurement of the thermal properties of materials in support of the educational, research and public service missions of WKU for faculty and students requiring thermal analysis data.  The TA Lab also actively conducts third party thermal analysis of samples for local, regional and national businesses and governmental agencies. 

Located in modern laboratory space within Western Kentucky University's Center for Research and Development, the Thermal Analysis Laboratory contains a wide variety of scientific instruments making it one of the most well-equipped academic thermal analysis laboratories in the United States. As a result, the TA Lab has developed into an nationally and internationally recognized facility.

Instrumentation:

Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

High-Resolution/Modulated Thermogravimetric Analysis (HR/MTGA)

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Simultaneous TGA and DSC (SDT) 

Pressurized/Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (P/MDSC)

High-Pressure Thermogravimetric Analysis (HP-TGA)

Evolved Gas Analysis (TA-MS, TA-MS, and TA-MS/FTIR)

Isothermal Calorimetry (IC)

Micro-Calorimetry (MC)

Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

Vapor Sorption Analysis (VSA)

Dielectric Thermal Analysis (DEA)

Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX)

X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)

Surface Area Analysis (SAA)

Discovery Hybrid Rheometer (DHR)

High Temperature Viscometer (HTV)

Guarded Heat Flow Meter (GHF)

LASER Flash Diffusivity (LFD)

Thermal Differential Dilatometry (TDD)

Atomic Absorption Mercury Analyzer (AAMA)

Automatic Mercury Porosimeter (AMP)

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Pyroprobe-GC/MS System

Micro-Thermal Analysis

Optical Microscopy

Capabilities:

Formulation and optimization

Materials selection

Contaminant identification

Application development

End-use performance prediction

Competitive product evaluation

Vendor certification

Incoming/outgoing materials consistency

Process optimization

Finished product performance

Troubleshooting