TMA Q Series Getting Started Guide
21
Options and Accessories
Several optional probes and a cooling accessory are available from TA Instruments to be used with the TMA. A
brief description of each one follows. For more information refer to the online documentation.
Probes
• Film/Fiber Probe: The TMA film/fiber accessory can be used to measure the physical properties of fibers or
films as a function of force, temperature, or time.
• Flexure Accessory: The Flexure Accessory can be used on the TMA for three-point bending studies to
measure the flexibility and strength of a variety of materials, such as composites, plastics, and PC boards.
It employs a knife-edged probe and either of two types of fixtures, quartz or low-friction aluminum,
depending upon the type of experiment desired.
• Dilatometer Accessory: The dilatometer accessory kit can be used to determine the volume coefficient of
expansion.
• Parallel Plate Rheometer Accessory: The parallel plate rheometer accessory can be used to obtain
viscosity-temperature or viscosity-time data on substances at low shear rates, over the range of 10 to 10
7
Pa-sec (1 to 10
6
Poise).
• Hemispherical Probe: The hemispherical probe is used with the standard quartz stage to obtain softening
point data on substances. It is installed, operated, and calibrated using the same procedures as for the
standard expansion and penetration probes.
Mechanical Cooling Accessory
The Mechanical Cooling Accessory (MCA) is designed to provide
you with a source of continuous cooling for the TMA, while elimi-
nating the need for liquid nitrogen or dry ice. It is a portable,
freestanding refrigeration system that can be placed on the floor
under a lab bench to conserve counter space. The MCA has a two-
stage compressor system that operates in a cascade fashion (first one
compressor turns on, then the other compressor joins in). Refriger-
ant is carried from the unit through an insulated coaxial hose to the
cooling head.
When using the MCA it is important to select Tools/Instrument
Preferences/TMA Page and check the box "MCA attached" to avoid
damage to the system.
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