The Orton Simultaneous DTA/TGA is a powerful thermoanalytical technique that combines a DTA and a TGA into one instrument that performs both DTA and TGA on the same sample at the same time. This instrument or testing technique is sometimes referred to as Simultaneous Thermal Analysis, or STA, or simply ST. The resulting DTA and TGA curves are simultaneously plotted on a dual Y-axis graph so the DTA’s fingerprint and the TGA’s weigh loss/gain characteristics are directly compared as the test sample is heated and cooled. The photo at the right is the Model ST-730 series simultaneous DTA/TGA System which includes the furnace, differential thermocouple, analytical balance, and furnace control console with user-programmable controller. Although not shown, the system includes Windows 98/2000 compatible data acquisition/analysis software and an analog to digital interface card for the user supplied personal computer system.

A. Characteristics or Properties Measured

The DTA identifies the temperature regions and the magnitude of critical events during a drying or firing process such as drying, binder burnout, carbon oxidation, sulfur oxidation, structural clay collapse, cristobalite transitions, alpha-beta quartz transitions, carbonate decompositions, recrystallizations and melting.

The TGA measures the weight loss of a material from a simple process such as drying, or from more complex chemical reactions that liberate gases, such as structural water release, structural decomposition, carbonate decomposition, sulfur oxidation, and fluoride oxidation. The TGA also measures the weight gain of a material from a simple process such as re-hydration, or from more complex surface reactions from reactive gas atmospheres.

Examples of Applications
The test results are a dual Y-axis graph of the DTA signal (microvolts) on one Y-axis and the TGA signal (actual weight loss or gain converted to percent weight loss) on the other Y-axis plotted versus the sample temperature on the X-axis. Sample graphs of enhanced standard outputs are shown below.

Ceramics - Structural Clay Analysis	Ceramics - Body and Binder Studies

Principle of Operation

The standard Orton Simultaneous DTA/TGA uses a pan balance, in which the sample and reference cups are supported by a pair of vertical thermocouples (differential thermocouple) positioned on the balance load cell (concept sketch below).
	After both cups are placed on top of the differential thermocouple stalks, the furnace is lowered over the cups, the balance is zeroed, and the furnace is heated and cooled according to the programmed thermal cycle. The differential thermocouple output (DTA signal) and balance output (TGA signal) are continuously recorded, displayed on a PC monitor, and stored on the PC for post testing analysis.

B. Standard Simultaneous DTA/TGA Instruments from Orton

The standard Orton Simultaneous DTA/TGA uses one of two pan balances with different sensitivity ranges, and an appropriate furnace for the desired temperature range.

Model Number Series	ST-730	ST-740
Room Temperature to 1,200°C	ST-732	ST-742
Room Temperature to 1,600°C	ST-736	ST-746
Sample Volume (cubic millimeters)	150	150
Sample Size (grams)*	up to 0.350	up to 0.350
Sample Cup Material	High Alumina	High Alumina
Sample Cup Design	Boersma	Boersma
Differential Thermocouple	Type “S”	Type “S”
DTA Sensitivity (micro-volts)	< 0.0005	< 0.0005
Atmospheres	Air, Argon, Nitrogen	Air, Argon, Nitrogen
Range of Sample Weight Change	5 to 33%	2 to 20%
Balance Sensitivity (micro-grams)	100	10
Electric Power	120 VAC, 15 amp, 50/60 Hz	120 VAC, 15 amp, 50/60 Hz
Cooling water to open drain	<1 gallon/minute	<1 gallon/minute

Note: assume a material with a green specific gravity of 2.35 g/cc

Sample Size
The Orton Simultaneous DTA/TGA instruments have been specifically designed for ceramics and other materials that require sample sizes larger than DSC’s to insure sample homogeneity.

Temperature Ranges / Furnace Type
Room Temperature to 1,200°C       Kanthal wire wound heating element
Room Temperature to 1,600°C       Platinum alloy wire wound heating element

Heating Rates / Thermal Cycle
DTA’s are generally performed with fast heat up rates, and TGA’s are generally performed with slow heat up rates. Since both tests are performed at the same time with the simultaneous unit, a compromise heat up rate must be used. A typical simultaneous DTA/TGA heat up rate for ceramic materials is 10°C per minute. Other rates are possible by simply changing the thermal cycle on the system’s PID furnace controller.

Most ST tests are performed at a standard heating rate to the maximum temperature, then discontinued. With the Orton systems, the thermal cycle can be extended to include the cooling data. In addition, other programmed cycles that contain multiple ramps and soaks, such as actual production drying or firing schedules, are possible.

Computer Analysis
All Orton ST's are supplied with data acquisition and analysis software for the user's PC. The software displays the test progress on the monitor, stores the data and enables the user to perform the standard DTA and TGA analysis on the data.

Atmospheres
The Orton Model ST-730/740 series systems are designed for standard ceramic applications. The Model ST-730/740 series systems are equipped with an atmosphere port and simple control flow valve for flowing air, argon, or nitrogen through the testing chamber. To keep manufacturing costs down and to keep operation simple, these Orton systems are not sealed for vacuums, corrosive atmospheres, or ultra low oxygen content atmospheres. Other Orton systems are designed for controlled atmosphere operation.

C. High Performance DTA/TGA Systems

For low weight change testing, a more sensitive, higher precision balance is required. Orton uses an overhead, continuous recording electro-balance for these applications.

For controlled atmosphere testing, a sealed balance and heating chamber is required. Orton uses a sealed, overhead, continuous recording electro-balance with a sealed heating chamber for these applications.

A true simultaneous DTA/TGA is a system in which the same sample is used for both weight loss (TGA) and energy change (DTA) measurements. Whenever an overhead balance is used in a true simultaneous DTA/TGA, the mechanical fixturing required to suspend the two sample cups plus their buried thermocouples without impacting free movement of the balance becomes more sophisticated. Sample loading and maintenance is more complicated as a result. Orton has simplified the mechanical arrangement, made sample loading and unloading easier, and reduced the maintenance costs by manufacturing a Concurrent DTA/TGA.

Concurrent DTA/TGA

A Concurrent DTA/TGA places two samples inside the same heated chamber for simultaneous testing. One sample is used for the DTA, and the other is used for the TGA. The two DTA thermocouple stalks and cups are inserted into the heated chamber from the bottom and are position immediately next to the TGA sample cup which is suspended from the overhead electro-balance. The DTA system is mechanically independent from the extremely sensitive analytical balance system, greatly simplifying the mechanical arrangement. Since both samples are in immediate proximity they are experiencing identical thermal and atmosphere conditions, so there is no compromise on the quality of the data generated. The Concurrent DTA/TGA is an ideal system for advanced research applications where weight losses (or gains) are small, or when vacuums or aggressive atmospheres are required.

Concurrent DTA/TGA Models

Model Number Series	CST-720-1000	CST-720-2000
Room Temperature to 1,200 °C	CST-722-1000	CST-722-2000
Room Temperature to 1,600 °C	CST-726-1000	CST-726-2000
DTA Sample Volume (cubic millimeters)	150	150
DTA Sample Size (grams)*	0.350	0.350
DTA Sample Cup Material	High Alumina	High Alumina
DTA Cup Design	Boersma	Boersma
Differential Thermocouple	Type “S”	Type “S”
DTA Sensitivity (micro-volts)	< 0.0005	< 0.0005
TGA Sample Size (grams)*	0.100	0.100
TGA Sample Cup Material	Platinum	Platinum
Range of Sample Weight Change	0 to 100%	0 to 100%
Weight Change Range (grams)	0.000 to 0.350	0.000 to 0.350
Balance Capacity (grams)	100	3.500
Max. Balance Change Capacity (grams)	10	0.150 / 0.750
Balance Sensitivity (micro-grams)	1.0	0.1
% Sensitivity Range	< 0.0003%	< 0.0000%
Atmospheres / Vacuum	Yes	Yes
Electric Power	120 VAC, 15 amp, 50/60 Hz	120 VAC, 15 amp, 50/60 Hz
Cooling water to open drain	<1 gallon/minute	<1 gallon/minute

* Note: assume a material with a green specific gravity of 2.35 g/cc