TA Instruments TGA 2950 - Sample Preparation and Loading

Running Experiments
TA I NSTRUMENTS TGA 29503–8
Preparing Samples
TGA experiments utilize different types of
sample pans, depending upon the type of
material that you are analyzing.
Selecting Sample
and Tare Pans
Three kinds of sample pans are available for the
TGA 2950, platinum, alumina ceramic, and
aluminum. The platinum pans come in 50 and
100 µL sizes, the ceramic pans come in 100,
250, and 500 µL sizes, and the aluminum pans
are 100 µL in size. The criteria for choosing a
sample pan are as follows:
 For most experiments, platinum is the
desirable choice. It is easy to clean and
does not react with most organics and
polymers. Ceramic pans are more porous
and are therefore more easily contaminated.
There are some conditions, however, in
which other types pans are desirable, as
explained below.
 Use ceramic pans for samples that might
amalgamate or react with platinum (e.g.,
metals, corrosives, inorganics).
 Use aluminum pans when disposability is
desired. Aluminum pans are meant for
one-time use in experiments that do not go
above 600°C and for samples that do not
react with aluminum.