The use of thermal and calorimetric methods has shown rapid growth over the past few decades, in an increasingly wide range of applications. The original text was published in 2001; since then there have been significant advances in various analytical techniques and their applications. This second edition supplies an up to date, concise and readable account of the principles, experimental apparatus and practical procedures used in thermal analysis and calorimetric methods of analysis. Written by experts in their field, brief accounts of the basic theory are reinforced with detailed technical advances and contemporary developments. Where appropriate, applications are used to highlight particular operating principles or methods of interpretation. As an important source of information for many levels of readership in a variety of areas, this book will be an aid for students and lecturers through to industrial and laboratory staff and consultants.

Handbook of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Volume 1: Principles and Practice describes the basic background information common to thermal analysis and calorimetry in general. Thermodynamic and kinetic principles are discussed along with the instrumentation and methodology associated with thermoanalytical and calorimetric techniques. The purpose is to collect the discussion of these general principles and minimize redundancies in the subsequent volumes that are concerned with the applications of these principles and methods. More unique methods, which pertain to specific processes or materials, are covered in later volumes.

The use of thermal and calorimetric methods has shown rapid growth over the last two decades, in an increasingly wide range of applications. In addition, a number of powerful new techniques have been developed. This book supplies a concise and readable account of the principles, experimental apparatus and practical procedures used in thermal analysis and calorimetric methods of analysis. Brief accounts of the basic theory are reinforced with detailed applications of the methods and contemporary developments. Also included is information on standard test methods and manufacturers. Written by acknowledged experts, Principles of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry is up-to-date, wide-ranging and practical. It will be an important source of information for many levels of readership in a variety of areas, from students and lecturers through to industrial and laboratory staff and consultants.

Thermal Analysis techniques are used in a wide range of disciplines, from pharmacy and foods to polymer science, materials and glasses; in fact any field where changes in sample behaviour are observed under controlled heating or controlled cooling conditions. The wide range of measurements possible provide fundamental information on the material properties of the system under test, so thermal analysis has found increasing use both in basic characterisation of materials and in a wide range of applications in research, development and quality control in industry and academia. Principles and Applications of Thermal Analysis is written by manufacturers and experienced users of thermal techniques. It provides the reader with sound practical instruction on how to use the techniques and gives an up to date account of the principle industrial applications. By covering basic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) including the new approach of Fast Scanning DSC, together with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA /TMA) methods, then developing the discussion to encompass industrial applications, the book serves as an ideal introduction to the technology for new users. With a strong focus on practical issues and relating the measurements to the physical behaviour of the materials under test, the book will also serve as an important reference for experienced analysts.

The wide range of applications of thermal methods of analysis in measuring physical properties, studying chemical reactions and determining the thermal behaviour of samples is of interest to academics and to industry. These applications prompted the writing of this book, in the hope that the descriptions, explanations and examples given would be of help to the analyst and would stimulate the investigation of other thermal techniques. Thermal studies are a fascinating means of examining the samples and the problems brought to us by colleagues, students and clients. If time allows, watching crystals change on a hot-stage microscope, or measuring the properties and changes on a DSC or TG or any thermal instrument can be a rewarding activity, besides providing valuable analytical information. This book started from a series of lectures delivered at Kingston University and at meetings of the Thermal Methods Group of the United Kingdom. The collaboration and information supplied to all the contribu tors by colleagues and instrument manufacturers is most gratefully ack nowledged, as are the valuable contributions made at meetings of the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ICT AC) and at the European Symposia on Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ESTAC).

The aim of this book is, as its title suggests, to help sOilleone with little or no knowledge of what thermal analysis can do, to find out briefly what the subject is all about, to decide whether it will be of use to him or her, and to help in getting started on the more common techniques. Some of the less-common techniques are mentioned, but more specialized texts should be consulted before venturing into these areas. This book arose out of a set of notes prepared for courses on thermal analysis given at instrument workshops organized by'the S.A. Chemical Institute. It has also been useful for similar short courses given at various universities and technikons. I have made extensive use ofthe manufacturers' literature, and I am grateful to them for this information. A wide variety of applications has been drawn from the literature to use as examples and these are acknowledged in the text. A fuller list of the books, reviews and other literature ofthermal analysis is given towards the back of this book. The ICTA booklet 'For Better Thermal Analysis' is also a valuable source of information. I am particularly grateful to my wife, Cindy, for typing the manuscript, to Mrs Heather Wilson for the line drawings, and to Professor David Dollimore of the University of Toledo, Ohio, for many helpful suggestions.