Differential Thermal Analysis System Including Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing differential thermal analysis as well as dynamic mechanical analysis of a sample relative to a reference.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

In the case of differential thermal analyses, for example, the temperature is regulated, raised, lowered, or kept isothermal in a furnace. In addition to the sample to be measured, the furnace contains a reference or comparison sample whose temperature behavior is known. The material of the reference sample as a rule does not contain any anomalies in the temperature measurement that is of interest here. Above all aluminum oxide or the empty sample pan or receptacle is customary and suitable for use as a reference material. The difference derived from the sample temperature and the reference temperature is a measure of the heat flow change of the sample. The technique of thermal analyses, especially also the technique of differential thermal analyses and dilatometric analysis techniques, is described in a comprehensive fashion in the text book entitled "Methoden der Thermischen Analyse" [Methods of Thermal Analysis], W. F. Hemminger, H. K. Cammenga, Springer Publishers 1989, from the series entitled "Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Practice"; the content of this text book is thus included by reference in the instant specification. The technique of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is disclosed in the publication Thermal Analysis, by Bernhard Wunderlich, Academic Press, Inc., pages 350-357.

If the reference sample and the sample to be measured are simultaneously placed in the furnace then--even in case of the best analysis instruments, made with maximum precision--there are certain nonhomogeneities and differences not only in the heat and temperature fields but also in the material of those instruments themselves. The reference sample and the sample to be measured are located in different places in the furnace; in other words, they are exposed to a non-completely homogeneous temperature field in different places.

Moreover, the reference sample and the sample to be measured influence each other. That is a disturbing factor above all because this influences greatest, of all things, in the particular interesting temperature range or time frame, where the sample to be measured, on the basis of the exothermal or endothermal processes, shows deviations in the sample to be measured from the reference sample.

The sample carrier, for example, the pan carrier or the pan itself, not only for the reference and for the sample to be measured, but also the measurement sensors themselves, always show minor differences. This leads to small although always disturbing influences on the measurement results and adulteration of the results.

If an analysis apparatus is to be used to determine not only a single material property but also various different material properties, in other words, if, in addition to differential thermal analysis, for example, one also determines dilatometric properties, in other words, if one performs a thermal-mechanical analysis (TMA) or a dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) of the sample to be measured, then the result of the differential thermal analysis can be additionally influenced in a negative manner by the expanded measurement arrangement for the determination of these additional material properties in the sample to be measured.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved combined differential thermal analysis and dynamicmechanical analysis method and apparatus which avoid the above and other drawbacks of the prior art, characterized in that the temperature behavior of the reference sample and of the sample to be measured are determined at exactly the same spot in the heat and temperature fields of the furnace. The heating and temperature measurement probe are identical for the reference sample and the sample to be measured. The temperature behavior of the reference is either evaluated by at least one reference measurement for a sequence of material requirements--whereby the reference can be represented by an empty pan, whereby the use of a reference sample can be avoided--or by the use of a mathematical model, which is so determined that it takes the real behavior of the thermal analysis apparatus into consideration. This new differential thermal analysis is identified by the term "Single Differential Thermal Analysis" (SDTA). In order to measure the temperature and physical properties of a sample without the requirement of two pans adjacent each other, in accordance with the present invention, a combined differential thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) system is provided.

According to a more specific object of the invention, the apparatus for measuring the temperature and physical properties of a sample includes force generating means for applying a force to the sample, and deflection sensing means for providing information on further physical properties of the single sample, together with the thermal properties.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus for practicing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment for practicing the invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the sample support and measuring means of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the measurement for the determination of the time constant;

FIG. 5 is a graphic illustration of the differential temperature curve of a given example; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment for performing simultaneously both differential thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis.

Referring first more particularly to FIG. 1, the furnace 1 contains a chamber 10 for receiving the sample 2 to be measured. The temperature T.sub.O of furnace 1 can be regulated in an altered fashion by means of a heating unit and/or cooling unit 50 according to predetermined rules, that is to say, it can be raised or lowered, or it can also be kept constant. The heating or cooling of the furnace 1 can be controlled, for example, by computer means 3.

The furnace temperature T.sub.O is measured with one or several sensors 52 and the electrical signals, corresponding to the measured values, are transferred to computer means 3 via line 4 for combination with the signal T.sub.set (t) by summing means 45, as will be described below.

The temperature T.sub.p of sample 2 which is to be measured and/or of the sample carrier, is measured with one or several sensors 54 and the electrical signals, corresponding to the measured values, are transmitted to computer means 3 via line or lines 5.

Using line or lines 6, additional values Q, measured on sample 2--for instance, mass changes, such as changes in length, electrical properties, such as the dielectrical constant, magnetic properties, optical properties, elastic properties--are detected by sensor means 56 and are transmitted via line 6 to computer means 3 (as electrical signals, for example) and are further processed there. Conversely, the computer means is also in a position to control and/or regulate the measurement and the stress devices for the various investigations on sample 2. Here it is possible, in addition to single differential thermal analysis, simultaneously to determine at least one additional physical property of the sample to be measured.

There are typical technical terms also for the other thermal analysis processes that can be combined with single differential thermal analysis, such as:

DEA/DiElectric Analysis

TOA/Thermo Optical Analysis

For a certain furnace, between the measured temperature T.sub.O in furnace 4 and in the temperature T.sub.R at the place of the sample, there is a reproducible characteristic difference that depends on the temperature program and the transmission function of the regulating circuit. This characteristic dependence can be described with a mathematical model 46.

With the known mathematical model 46, it is possible to calculate the required set point value T.sub.set (t) for the controller 48 from the desired set point temperature T.sub.Rset (t) in such a way that the resulting temperature program T.sub.R (t) at the place of the sample in the furnace reaches exactly the desired temperature.

The controlling variable is the furnace temperature T.sub.O (t). The influence from the temperature changes of the sample is negligible. The temperature at the place of the sample T.sub.R (t) is thus set independently of the temperature changes of the sample T.sub.p (t) as if no sample were present. T.sub.R (t) is called the reference temperature.

The difference between the measured sample temperature at T.sub.P (t) and the reference temperature T.sub.Rset (t) is the SDTA signal. It is a measure of the heat flow change of the sample.

Alternatively, another possibility for producing the SDTA signal would be to calculate T.sub.R calc (t) from the measured furnace temperature T.sub.O (t) based on the characteristic difference. Such a calculation could compensate for set point values T.sub.set (t) which are not trimmed to give exactly the desired reference temperature T.sub.R (t). Nevertheless, it is desirable to have the mathematical model 46 to obtain T.sub.set (t) from T.sub.Rset (t) in order to get a well defined reference temperature.

In the special case of a constant heating or cooling rate, we illustrate, below, a possible mathematical model and a process for determining it.

If the cooling or heating rate dT.sub.R /dt is constant, then, for a certain temperature T, the difference from the furnace temperature T.sub.O and the temperature at the place of the sample T.sub.R is proportional to the cooling or heating rate dT.sub.R /dt:

The proportionality factor .gamma.(T) is a time constant. It results from the heat capacity of the crucible and the sample, and the heat resistance between the temperature measurement points for temperature T.sub.R at the place of the sample and for temperature T.sub.O in the furnace.

For a certain temperature, the same .gamma. can for example be so determined that the unknown conversion point of a sample is measured for at least two heating rates. If one graphically plots the difference between furnace temperature T.sub.O and the known conversion temperature T.sub.Lit against the heating or cooling rate, then the slope of the straight line is the desired time constant .gamma. for this temperature (see PTB-Mitteilung 1001/90, "Die Temperaturkalibrierung dynamischer Kalorimeter" ("Temperature Calibration of Dynamic Calorimeters"), by Huhne, Camenga, et al.). FIG. 4 illustrates the method for determining the time constant.

The temperature dependence of the desired time constant .gamma.(T), for example, can be determined by determining it for several reference samples with known conversion points. The melting points of pure metals, for example, are suitable for determining the time constant, for instance:

Indium (In) with a melting point of 156.6.degree. C.

Zinc (ZN) with a melting point of 419.5.degree. C.

Aluminum (Al) with a melting point of 660.3.degree. C.

Gold (Au) with a melting point of 1,064.2.degree. C.

The temperature dependence can then, for example, be described by a regression of a polynomial of the second order:

If the mass of the reference sample is small enough, one may assume that the reference sample does not change the temperature at the place of the sample.

In other words, by means of the mathematical model and the measured temperature, it is possible, in the furnace, so to control the temperature at the spot of the sample that the desired, arbitrary temperature program will be attained. The difference between the measured sample temperature T.sub.P and the reference temperature determined by means of the mathematical model is a measure of the heat flow change of the sample (DTA-Signal).

If the difference between temperature T.sub.p of the sample and the required set point temperature T, over a span of time, is calculated and illustrated graphically for a given heating rate, then the difference is extensively constant, in other words, the values are located along a straight line that runs parallel to the time axis. That applies so long as there is no anomaly. The moment an anomaly occurs in a certain sample at a certain temperature, the difference becomes greater or smaller, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

In single differential thermal analysis, the temperature curves--measured in succession in terms of time--of a reference sample or of the empty furnace--which can also be used as a reference--and of a sample 2 to be measured are measured on the same spot and are compared to each other. One can also use a mathematically determined temperature curve as reference temperature curve. If, for a certain configuration of the measurement setup, the temperature curve of the reference sample or that of the furnace or a temperature curve derived mathematically from the temperature curve of the reference sample or the furnace has been determined, then, using one singular measurement, each time, one can, in a simple fashion, and on the sample to be measured, determine the thermal-analytical properties and the values of samples to be measured.

Conversely, it is naturally also possible first of all to determine the values of the sample to be measured or of the several samples to be measured and subsequently to determine the temperature curve of the reference sample or that of the furnace or a temperature curve subsequently derived mathematically from the temperature curve of the reference sample or of the furnace--something that is just as simple.

Simultaneously with the measurement of material sample 2 which is to be measured for differential thermoanalysis, one can determine additional physical properties of that sample 2 as a function of the temperature T.sub.p of the sample (simultaneous thermoanalysis). In combination with thermomechanical analysis, it is thus possible to measure changes of length in one direction or changes of volume in several directions, preferably, in a rectangular coordinate system. In this kind of combination thermoanalysis, one can furthermore use not just one constant load but one can also apply the load according to a function that is changeable in terms of time. In this kind of dynamic stress, one can, in addition to the static dimension change, also observe a phase shift in terms of time that permits further statements as to material properties. In case of a periodic excitation, for example, with a sinusoidal load, one can, by means of a frequency analysis, particularly, with the help of a Fourier analysis, characterize the behavior of the material. Such dynamic excitations and the attendant analysis methods are known in other technical disciplines, such as control engineering, described in detail, for example, in the textbook entitled "Identifikation dynamischer Systeme" [Identification of Dynamic Systems], Rolf Isermann, Springer Publishers, 1988. As is the case with thermomechanical analysis, differential thermoanalysis can also be combined by measuring the curve of a dielectricity constant. The measurement of the dielectricity constant is described in the technical text entitled "Werkstoffe der Elektrotechnik" [Raw Materials of Electrical Engineering], Hans Fisher, Hanser Publishers, 1982, Pages 324 ff.

Furthermore, differential thermoanalysis can be combined with the measurement of the course of optical properties of materials. Such thermoanalytical optical processes are defined in the already introduced textbook "Methoden der Thermischen Analyse" [Methods of Thermal Analysis], on page 214. That textbook also comprehensively covers the further development of differential thermoanalysis into Differential Scanning Calorimetry (pages 5 ff).

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment is illustrated that is suitable for differential thermal analysis combined with the thermal-mechanical analysis according to the invention. This instrument has a furnace 12 in whose inner chamber 14 is mounted a sample carrier 16. A sample 18 can be placed in this sample carrier. Furnace 12 and sample carrier 16 have the same facilities for temperature control and temperature measurement as was explained earlier in connection with FIG. 1 which, however, are not shown in this schematic illustration. Additionally, this instrument in FIG. 2 shows a measurement device that is able to determine the vertical length change of the sample. This device comprises a measurement strap 20 which, at one end, rests on sample 18 and, at its other end extends within a coil 22 to form a differential transformer 23 for measuring the shifting motion of measurement strap 20, thereby to determine the dimensional change of sample 18. The second end of measurement strap 20, which extends within the coil, is made as a magnetic core 21 and is fashioned of a material that has suitable magnetic properties in order to ensure the function of the differential transformer. In order precisely to control measurement strap 20, the latter is connected, via connecting element 24, with parallel guide means 26 that is supported by the housing 28. The inherent weight of this measurement means device, consisting of measurement strap 20 and parallel guide means 26, is not negligibly small so that it can influence the measurement results. This is why, attached to the parallel guide 26, there is provided electromagnetic load compensation means 29 that comprises a coil 30 and a magnetic circuit 32 and that works according to the known plunger coil principle, in which, by regulating the current through coil 30, one can adjust the magnitude of the compensation force to the desired magnitude. Such a known compensation device is described in the Achermann, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,764.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of furnace 12 of the instrument according to FIG. 2. Sample 18 rests on sample carrier 16 that, in a recess contained in its bottom surface is arranged temperature sensor 36, so that the sample temperature can be measured in the immediate vicinity of the sample. Measurement sample 20 has a specially shaped measurement surface 20a with which it rests on top of the sample. To improve the accuracy of the measurement of the sample temperature, one may, in the immediate vicinity of this measurement surface 20a, at the tip of the measurement strap 20, arrange another temperature sensor 38 whose measure value is supplied via line 40 to the temperature control, not shown, so that one can consider temperature differences in furnace compartment.

The temperature sensor that is required to measure the furnace temperature is not illustrated in this FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, a preferred embodiment is illustrated that is suitable for differential thermal analysis combined with the dynamic mechanical analysis according to the invention. This instrument has a furnace 112 in whose inner chamber 114 is mounted a sample carrier 116. A sample 118 can be placed in this sample carrier. Sample 118 rests on the sample carrier 116 which contains in its surface a temperature sensor 154, so that the sample temperature T.sub.P can be measured in the immediate vicinity of the sample. Conventional DMA techniques normally use different kinds of sample carriers for different kind of deformation such as compression, sheer, bending, tension.

In FIG. 6, as an example, the 3-point bending sample carrier is shown. Furnace 112 and sample carrier 116 have the same function for temperature control and temperature measurement as was explained earlier in connection with FIG. 1.

The rigid housing 163 contains the furnace 112 in which the rectilinear sample specimen 118 to be tested is supported by a sample carrier 116 that is mounted on the furnace platform 162. The furnace platform 162 in turn is supported for vertical and horizontal adjustment within the housing by conventional 3-axis slide adjustment means 170. Vertical deflecting force 172 produced by the drive shaft 160 of the force generating means 161, which is rigidly connected with the housing 163, is applied to the center of the specimen to produce the bending deflection thereof as shown by the phantom lines 118a. One example of the force generating means 161 is an electromagnetic solenoid system, although other force-generating means could be used as well. Suspended from the center portion of the specimen by hanger strap 120 is a movable ferromagnetic core 121 which extends within the stationary coil 122 that is rigidly mounted within the specimen carrier 116. The coil 122 and core 121, supplemented by an evaluation unit for the electrical signals induced by the moving core 121 in coil 122, are one of several possibilities for use as the deflection measuring means 174, another possibility is the use of an optical sensing system for measuring sample displacement.

In operation, it will be seen that as the deflecting force 172 is applied to the sample specimen 118 by the force generating means 161 via the drive shaft 160, deflection of the specimen is measured by the deflection measuring means 174 as a result of the displacement of the iron core 121 within the electromagnetic coil 122, as is known in the art. The deflection measuring means 174 provides the output signal DMA, and a feedback signal to the force generating means 161 via conductor 180. Further means, not shown, may be provided for recording the two simultaneously measured signals SDTA and DMA stemming from the analysis at the single sample, and for evaluating and displaying the same, thereby to permit more detailed investigation of the results of the combined DMA/SDTA system. With the dynamic force applied to the sample and deformation of the sample, the dynamic mechanical properties of the sample can be calculated. This is explained, for example, in `Thermal Analysis` by Bernhard Wunderlich, Academic Press.

An analogous result could be produced by replacing the force generating means 161 by a displacement generating means applying a given, periodic displacement of the drive shaft 160 to the specimen, and measuring the resulting force by adequate force measuring means instead of the displacement measuring means. In fact, the same physical system may be used for both variants. The electromagnetic force generating means is feedback controlled by the force, measured with a force sensor (not shown in the drawing). In turn, the displacement measured by the measuring means 120, 121, 122, 174 may be used as the controlled variable, such changing the generator to a displacement generating means. The force sensor then may be used as the measuring means to indicate the force as a reaction to the displacement. Of course, the set value F .sub.set (t) for the generator then is a displacement instead of a force. Expressed in a more general way, the apparatus contains mechanical driving means 161, which are applying stress or strain to a given portion of the sample 118, and measuring means for evaluating the reaction of the sample 118a to the mechanical driving.

While in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes the preferred forms and embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that changes may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.