Thermogravimetric analysis TGA

[edit] What is thermogravimetric analysis?

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is a method of thermal analysis in which changes in physical and chemical properties of materials are measured as a function of increasing temperature (with constant heating rate) or as a function of time (with constant temperature and/or constant mass loss).

[edit] How is TGA carried out ?

In TGA a sample is placed in a crucible and the heated, the weight of the sample is continuously monitored in detail. The resulting data, which is usually a correlation of mass vs. temperature / time, reveals information about the thermal stability, decomposition behaviour, and composition of the sample. Such tests may also be performed within different atmospheric make-ups such as in an inert gas, air, or reactive gases and under differing pressures.

[edit] Where has it been used ?

This is one of the approaches to material analysis that is included in the University of Queensland, Australia's Cladding Materials Library. The library lists some 81 materials and product make-ups that constitute potential cladding solutions for buildings, that have been analysed and or tested, the full list of headings for some products can be found below.

[edit] Grenfell and product libraries

The Cladding Materials Library from Queensland was mentioned in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report of the public inquiry into the fire at Grenfell tower on 14 June 2017: Part 14 Recommendations in the section A construction library 113.39: “Those who design buildings, particularly higher-risk and complex buildings, would benefit from having access to a body of information, such as data from tests on products and materials, reports on serious fires and academic papers. In Chapter 112 we have referred to the Cladding Materials Library set up by the University of Queensland, which could form the basis of a valuable source of information for designers of buildings in general. We recommend that the construction regulator sponsor the development of a similar library, perhaps as part of a joint project with the University of Queensland, to provide a continuing resource for designers.”

[edit] What other data is captured in the cladding library ?

[edit] Material description:

Material ID. Material type. Additives (fire retardants, fillers or traces of inorganic elements). Core thickness. Thickness of single metal skin Table 1. Estimated mass concentration of compounds.

[edit] A. Material composition identification

• A.1 Attenuated total reflection – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR)
• A.2 Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) .Table 2. Inorganic elements and their mass concentration identified with EDXRF.

[edit] B. Thermogravimetric analysis

• Table 3. Mass fraction of residue after thermal decomposition.
• Table 4. Temperature and amplitude of main peaks in non-oxidative conditions.
• Table 5. Temperature and amplitude of main peaks in oxidative conditions.

[edit] C. Gross Heat of Combustion

• Table 7. Gross Heat of Combustion individual results for sample.

[edit] D. Ignition parameters

• Table 8. Summary of ignition parameters for sample.

[edit] E. Burning behaviour

• Table 9. Summary of key burning behaviour metrics.
• Table 10. Effective Heat of Combustion individual results for sample.

For further information register and visit here https://claddingmaterialslibrary.com.

[edit] Examples of some of the Cladding materials tested in the cladding library

• ACM with predominantly polyethylene core (ACM PE)
• ACM with predominantly polyethylene and a fire retardant (ACM PE)
• ACM with a mineral (or in organic material) filled thermoplastic core (type of thermoplastic used is often undefined) (ACMFR) FR standing for fire resistant.
• ACM with predominantly polyethylene modified with vinyl acetate (PE-VA)
• ACM with predominantly polyethylene modified with vinyl acetate (PE-VA), a fire retardant, and / or an inorganic filler.
• ACM with predominantly polyethylene (PE) with ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, a fire retardant, and an inorganic filler

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• ACM cladding.
• ACM cladding testing by BRE.
• Approved Document B.
• BS 8414 Fire performance of external cladding systems.
• BS 9999: Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.
• BS 9991:2015 Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.
• BS EN 13501-1.
• Building regulations.
• Building safety agreement with developers.
• Celotex RS5000 PIR insulation.
• Cladding for buildings.
• Composite cladding.
• Construction Products Regulation CPR.
• Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation.
• Digital Product Passports DPP.
• Ecodesign compliant products.
• Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multistorey buildings, third edition (BR 135)
• Fire safety design.
• Grenfell Tower articles.
• Grenfell Tower fire.
• Grenfell Tower independent expert advisory panel.
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
• HPL cladding.
• Independent review of the building regulations and fire safety.
• Lakanal House fire.
• Material of limited combustibility.
• Non-ACM cladding.
• Protecting tenants and leaseholders from unsafe cladding.
• Rainscreen cladding.
• Reform of building safety standards.
• Ronan Point gas explosion.
• Torre Windsor office building fire.