Parallel-plate compression mode

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) measures the deformation of a material contacted hy a mechanical prohe, as a function of a controlled temperature program, or time at constant temperature. TMA experiments are generally conducted imder static loading with a variety of probe configurations in expansion, compression, penetration, tension, or flexime. In addition, various attachments are available to allow the instrument to operate in special modes, such as stress relaxation, creep, tensile loading of films and fibers, flexural loading, parallel-plate rheometry, and volume dilatometry. The type of probe used determines the mode of operation of the instrument, the manner in which stress is apphed to the sample, and the amount of that stress. 

Compression. The sample in this geometry is sandwiched between horizontal parallel plates, and the upper plate is oscillated so as to apply a small-amplitude strain. This mode of deformation is also useful with soft samples. 

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