Vendors thermal analysis

Low-force tabletop instruments are offered by the traditional thermal analysis vendors Mettler Toledo, Netzsch, Perkin-Elmer, and TA Instruments as well as Seiko Instruments. Higher-force tabletop and floor model instruments are offered by Bose and OldbMetrovib. Rotational rheometers that also perform torsional shear measurements on solid samples are marketed by Reologica... 

Due to the rapid changing technology in microcomputers and microprocessors, data and control systems have evolved rapidly a life time of 3-4 years is about the maximum for such a system. Thus, only the most current computer system will be described here for a particular type of thermal analysis system. No attempt will be made to give details on the software programs in use these can be obtained from the commercial vendor of the system, if desired. Almost all the commercially available thermal analysis instrumentation employs a microprocessor for operating system control or a microcomputer for data processing. Either a proprietary or a commercially available microcomputer is employed to process the experimental data into conventional thermal analysis plots or to perform more sophisticated kinetics or purity determination calculations. 

Thickness of shell should not be less than 12 mm. Boiler quality steel should be used since these units run at high internal temperature for long time continuously. Internal lining details (e.g. type of insulating and refractory bricks used, their alumina percentage, thickness of layer, castable refractory, expansion joints provided. (Vendor to submit copies of their test certificates giving chemical analysis, refractory properties, thermal conductivities if asked for by the purchaser. The expected maximum temperature at outer surface of the shell should not normally exceed 60—65 °C.)... 

If thermal treatment is required before or during analysis, care must be taken with the materials used. Indeed, this negates the possible use of the solvent or Indium support approaches described earlier as well as the use of frozen samples. Thermal studies can be aided using specialized vendor-specific sample supports. Note, however, that no standardized sample holder presently exists, i.e. all are vendor specific, hence cannot be interchanged between instruments from different vendors. 

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