Chemical Industry Applications｜Thermal Analysis and Thermophysical Property Measurement of Chemical Materials
From organic and inorganic chemicals, polymers, and solution systems to petrochemical and energy materials, heating and cooling processes are essential throughout chemical R&D and production. Through thermal analysis and thermophysical property measurements, material thermal stability, phase transitions, and reaction behavior under different temperatures, atmospheres, and pressures can be evaluated, enabling safe and controllable process windows while improving product quality and batch consistency.
Why Do Chemical Materials Require Thermal Analysis and Thermophysical Property Measurements?
Thermal analysis has become a key tool in chemical R&D, process optimization, and quality assurance. By measuring thermal behavior under controlled temperature, pressure, and atmosphere, melting, phase transitions, decomposition, and reaction heat can be directly observed, enabling kinetic analysis and safety evaluation.
- Thermal stability and decomposition behavior: evaluate decomposition temperature, exothermic/endothermic reactions, and residues.
- Process and reaction window design: determine whether melting overlaps with decomposition to avoid unsafe processing conditions.
- Pressure and atmosphere effects: observe reaction pathway changes under inert, oxidative, or special atmospheres.
- Formulation and additive comparison: assess the influence of stabilizers, flame retardants, fillers, or solvents.
- Quality control and risk management: establish thermal fingerprints for raw materials and final products.
Case Study 1: Thermal Stability and Reaction Behavior of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (DSC / TGA)
During chemical R&D and scale-up, inorganic chemicals such as salts, oxides, surface-treated powders, as well as organic intermediates and formulation components, require thermal stability and decomposition evaluation. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) provide critical information on melting behavior, phase transitions, and mass loss.
- Onset temperature and decomposition steps.
- Melting and recrystallization behavior.
- Oxidation or reduction reactions under different atmospheres.
Case Study 2: Thermal Conductivity and Heat Transfer Performance of Liquids and Solutions (LFA / Thermal Conductivity Instruments)
Silicone oils, heat transfer fluids, and aqueous or alcohol-based solutions are commonly used as heat media in chemical processes. Their thermal conductivity and diffusivity directly affect temperature uniformity and efficiency in reactors and heat exchangers.
- Silicone oils and heat transfer fluids with different viscosities.
- Ethanol–water and other mixed solvent systems.
- Special liquids or suspensions used in chemical processing.
Case Study 3: Phase Transitions and Thermophysical Properties of Energy and Petrochemical Materials (DSC / LFA / DIL)
Energy and petrochemical materials such as nitrate-based thermal storage media, graphite components, crude oil, and fuels require precise understanding of melting, crystallization, expansion, and flow behavior to ensure safe storage, transport, and operation.
- Phase-change energy storage materials: melting and solidification enthalpy by DSC.
- Graphite and high-temperature structural materials: anisotropic thermal expansion by DIL.
- Crude oil and fuels: wax appearance temperature and crystallization behavior.
Common Thermal Analysis and Thermophysical Measurement Techniques for Chemical Materials
- DSC: glass transition, melting, crystallization, reaction heat, and wax appearance temperature.
- TGA: decomposition temperature, mass loss steps, volatiles, and residue content.
- STA (TGA + DSC): simultaneous heat flow and mass change analysis.
- Thermal conductivity and diffusivity (LFA, transient methods): for solids, liquids, and molten systems.
- Dilatometry (DIL): linear thermal expansion and phase-change-induced dimensional changes.
We provide customized measurement planning, trial testing, and technical consultation to support chemical R&D, process optimization, and safety evaluation with reliable thermophysical data.