Thermomechanical analysis linear expansion coefficients measured using

Thermomechanical-analysis (TMA) testing is used to measure a material s expansion coefficient above and below the glass-transition temperature or Tg. Thermomechanical analysis continuously monitors the expansion of a probe on a sample as a function of temperature. The standard test method for TMA is ASTM D3386, Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion of Electrical Insulating Materials.In addition to the glass-transition temperature or Tg, the expansion coefficients above and below Tg are reported. 

Thermal expansion coefficients can be measured by thermomechanical analysis (TMA). ASTM D696 describes a method of using a quartz dilatometer, and ASTM E831 describes the determination of the linear thermal expansion of solid materials. 

Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) measures unidirectional dimensional changes in materials as functions of time, temperature and applied force. The TMA measurements are coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE), glass transition temperatures (Tg) and softening points (Ts). Newer applications of TMA include elasticity, melt viscosity, and heat deflection temperature. In addition to traditional TMA instruments, many modem dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) instruments can operate in a TMA (static force) mode. The main differences between the two types of instruments are the size of the specimens and the materials used to fabricate the measurement fixtures (stage, probe, clamps, etc.). Most TMA instruments use quartz, while DMTA instruments use larger steel components. The specimens used in these experiments are... 

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