In the webinar titled "Thermal Analysis in the Automotive Industry", we describe a number of interesting application examples that demonstrate the use of thermal analysis techniques in the automotive industry
Thermal Analysis in the Automotive Industry
Due to the wide range of materials used in automotive industries, virtually all thermal analysis techniques can be used in quality control, and for research and development. For example, with adhesives, parameters such as gelation and the curing time as function of temperature are important for optimizing the performance of products.
Elastomers are not only used for tires but also as sealing materials for windows or for hoses and tubes. However, the automotive industry is by far the most important market for elastomers. The main properties investigated are the glass transition, composition, expansion, the modulus, and damping behavior.
The use of composites in the automotive sector continues to grow. The primary reason for using composites instead of metals is to reduce weight and so improve fuel economy. Here again, the glass transition, composition, modulus, expansion, and damping behavior are important properties.
Thermal Analysis Techniques and Their Applications
The most important effects that can be analyzed by DSC are the glass transition, melting, crystallization behavior, reaction enthalpies and kinetics, and the influence of fillers.
For TGA, the main applications are content analysis and thermal stability.
TMA is normally used to study the expansion or shrinkage of materials.
DMA is the best method for characterizing the frequency-, force-, and amplitude-dependent mechanical behavior of materials.