Thermal analysis is of great importance in the areas of material characterization and development, process development and optimization as well as quality control of macromolecular materials. Due to their chemical composition and their morphology, these often show a significant dependence of their properties on temperature, stress and time. The different methods of investigation allow statements regarding the properties of the material and its resistance. In addition, processes such as radical crosslinking can also be analyzed.

Thermal analysis is used in determining:

• the thermal stability and the volatilization of individual constituents
• of specific heat capacities
• of exo and endothermic reaction processes
• of morphological variables
• of the crosslinking degree
• of processing parameters, in particular in the case of thermal or optical curing processes
• of viscoelastic material properties
• of phase transitions such as the glass transition region
• thermal limits of usability.