Polymer thermal method selection
DSC follows heat-flow transitions, TGA follows mass and DMA follows viscoelastic response. HDT and Vicat answer defined loaded-deformation questions, not melting or indefinite service limits. Select complementary evidence for the actual failure or comparison.
Sample considerations
- ASTM D3418: Sample mass, atmosphere, heating/cooling history and target transition
- ASTM E1131: Atmosphere sequence, temperature program and expected constituents
- ASTM D648: Specimen geometry, flexural load, conditioning and orientation
- ASTM D1525: Load, heating rate, thickness and conditioning
- ASTM D4065: Mode, frequency, strain, temperature sweep and geometry
- ASTM D1204: Direction, initial dimensions, temperature and time
- ASTM D696: Orientation, specimen geometry and stated temperature interval
- ISO 11357-1: Calibration, atmosphere and requested measurement-specific part
- ISO 11358-1: Atmosphere, dynamic/isothermal program and specimen preparation
- ISO 75-1: Material-specific part, load, specimen and heating rate
- ISO 306: Thermoplastic grade, load and heating-rate procedure