This section provides an overview for thermal analysis equipment as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 thermal analysis equipment manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked thermal analysis equipment companies as of November, 2024: 1.Instrument Specialists, Inc., 2.Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc., 3.Kindle Tech.
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Thermal Analysis Equipment
A thermal analyzer is a generic term for a device that measures changes in a sample when heat is continuously applied to it. It consists of a mechanism for continuously changing the temperature of a sample and a mechanism for detecting and recording the physical properties to be measured. Different analysis names are given to each of these devices depending on the physical property to be measured.
The analyses performed using thermal analyzers include Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), which analyzes the temperature difference between a measurement sample and a standard sample, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which analyzes the difference in calorific values, and DSC Calorimetry (DSC) to analyze differences in heat content, Thermogravimetry (TG) to measure weight changes, and Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) to measure changes in length.
Thermal analysis using a thermal analyzer is used to measure the thermophysical properties of any material. The structure and state of materials change with temperature changes, and the properties and functions of materials change accordingly. Understanding the behavior of materials in response to changes in temperature is very important for controlling properties and quality, and for understanding exothermic/endothermic behavior during reactions.
In a typical thermal analysis, phenomena such as glass transition, crystallization, melting, and decomposition caused by heating are traced graphically with temperature on the horizontal axis and each parameter (weight change, dimensional change, etc.) on the vertical axis. For example, in TG-DTA analysis, by simultaneously measuring the sample weight change when the sample temperature is changed and the temperature difference between the sample and reference material, it is possible to analyze what kind of change occurs at what temperature in the material.
Studies are also conducted to observe changes in morphology by combining thermal analysis with measurements with an optical camera or optical microscope or to analyze gases using gas chromatography simultaneously.
A thermal analysis instrument consists of a detection section, a temperature control section, and a data processing section. The detection section is equipped with a "heater," "sample mounting section," and "detector," and it heats and cools the sample and detects its temperature and physical properties.
The configuration of the detector varies depending on the thermal analysis to be performed. DTA and DSC, which measure temperature, measure the temperature difference between a standard and measured substance. The temperature control section controls the heater temperature according to the program set before the measurement. In the data processing section, signals from the detector are input and recorded, and the obtained measurement data is analyzed.
Various methods are used in thermal analysis depending on the characteristics of the object to be analyzed. There are five analysis methods commonly used in thermal analysis: differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and dynamic viscoelasticity measurement (DMA).
The details of each method are as follows:
When a sample itself undergoes a transition or undergoes some kind of reaction due to a temperature change, a change in the temperature difference from a reference material occurs, and this change is detected. This allows us to detect reaction phenomena such as melting, glass transition, crystallization, vaporization, and sublimation.
The glass transition is sometimes difficult to detect with DTA because the temperature change is more gradual than other state changes. In the case of unknown samples, it is difficult to understand the reaction phenomena by DTA curves alone fully, so data interpretation methods are often used in combination with thermogravimetry (TG).
A reference material and a sample are similarly subjected to temperature changes, and thermocouples detect their respective temperatures. If there is a temperature difference, the temperatures are heated by a heater so that the temperatures are the same. DSC measures the energy required for this heating. This is why it is called differential scanning calorimetry. In general, it can be measured with higher precision than DTA. It can measure transitions, such as melting, glass transition, and crystallization, as well as specific heat capacity.
A reference material and a sample are similarly subjected to temperature change, and the weight difference between the reference material and the sample is tracked (a reference material that does not change in weight in the measurement temperature range is used). The sample to be measured undergoes reactions that change its mass, such as sublimation, evaporation, pyrolysis, dehydration, etc., as a result of temperature change. Since not only the weight change but also the sample temperature change can be measured at the same time to detect changes in the state of the sample, analyzers that can simultaneously perform DTA analysis are in widespread use.
A probe is applied to the sample to detect displacement due to temperature change. Measuring the displacement while changing the load applied to the sample is also possible. The main measurement targets are thermal expansion, thermal contraction, glass transition, curing reaction, and examination of thermal history, which are phenomena in which the shape changes due to temperature change. Melting and crystallization can also be detected because shape changes accompany these reactions. Still, care must be taken to maintain constant contact between the probe and the sample to ensure proper detection.
A cyclic load is applied to the sample, and the strain generated in the sample is detected and output as a function of temperature or time. This instrument is used to examine glass transition, crystallization, and thermal history, which are reactions involving intramolecular motion and structural changes. The initial state of melting can also be measured, but as with TMA, measurement becomes impossible as melting progresses and the shape changes.
As mentioned above, the combination of an optical microscope and other devices is applied to various research. In the method of real-time observation of changes in morphology and coloration in combination with optical microscopes, it is possible to observe the white cloudiness of samples associated with crystallization and liquid crystal transition, as well as changes in samples near the temperature of state change.
Other analyzers have been developed to analyze gases produced during heat treatment by combining thermal analyzers with devices such as FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry) and MS (Mass Spectrometry). By combining information on thermophysical properties obtained by thermal analysis with information on gases, a deeper understanding of the thermal response of materials can be obtained. In combination with other temperature-generating devices, thermal expansion and contraction can be observed in various situations.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Linseis Messgeräte GmbH (Linseis Inc. USA), established in 1957 and headquartered in Selb, Bayern, Germany, is a manufacturer of thermoanalytical instruments. The company's products include thermal conductivity analyzers, thermoelectric analyzers, and differential scanning calorimeters. These products are used in various industries in the field of research and materials testing, such as bridge support expansion measuring, vehicle construction, and the aerospace industry for the development of higher-thermal materials. Its notable clients include Intel, NASA, JPL, and Mitsubishi.
Rigaku Americas Corporation is based in The Woodlands, Texas, USA, and is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial as well as scientific instrumentation established in 1951 as a subsidiary of Japan’s Rigaku Corporation. The company’s product lineup includes single crystal diffractometers for determining the molecular or atomic structure of crystals, and x-ray diffractometers for material analysis or characterization. It also offers x-ray fluorescence spectrometers for non-destructive analysis of the elemental composition of different materials. The company is UL, DVGW, and CE-certified, and mainly serves clients in the industrial sector.
NETZSCH-Gerätebau, established in 1962 and headquartered in Selb, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of thermal analysis and rheology instruments. Its range of products encompasses differential scanning calorimeters, thermogravimetric analyzers, dynamic mechanical analyzers, rheometers, viscometers, thermal conductivity meters, and thermal diffusivity meters. These instruments find diverse applications in measuring and characterizing the thermal behavior, mechanical properties, and flow dynamics of materials ranging from polymers and metals to ceramics, composites, and liquids.
TA Instruments, established in 1963, is a manufacturer of machinery for thermal analysis, rheology, microcalorimetry, and mechanical analysis, headquartered in Delaware, USA. Their product range includes rheometers, thermal analyzers, calorimeters, dilatometers, and viscometers which are used in various industries such as biopharmaceuticals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Their products provide crucial insights into material properties, enabling quality control, optimizing processes, and facilitating product development. TA Instruments ensures quality and holds certifications such as ISO 9001 for quality management.
PerkinElmer Inc., founded in 1937, is an American manufacturer headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, specializing in laboratory technology and management. The company's product offerings include analysis and characterization instruments, software, and consumables. Such offerings cover chromatography, mass spectrometry, molecular and atomic spectroscopy. They also provide immunoassay and food quality analyzers, as well as the simultaneous thermal analyzer (STA). These products find applications in various industries, such as biopharmaceuticals, food safety, lithium battery, and water resource management. PerkinElmer also offers OneSource Laboratory Services, providing knowledge, application, and service solutions for scientific laboratories. Additionally, their LABStartUp program supports new laboratories with instrumentation, consumables, and funding.
Instruments Specialists, Inc. was established in 1991 and located in Twin Lakes, Wisconsinis, as a manufacturer of thermal analysis instruments. The company manufactures thermal analyzers, thermal analysis consumables, and accessories as well as offering reconditioning, upgrades, and maintenance for thermal analyzers purchased by clients. It also serves differential scanning calorimeter, simultaneous thermal analyzer, and thermogravimetric analyzer which find ideal application in various sectors including polymer and metal industries. The company provides a one-year warranty for products and it has a preventative maintenance service plan for equipment as well as thermal analysis software support plans to support customers.
Hiden Analytical was established in 1981 and is based in Warrington, U.K., and is a manufacturer of quadrupole mass spectrometers for research applications and specialist process monitoring sectors. The company provides systems for precision gas analysis, plasma diagnostics, SIMS probes for UHV surface science applications, micro furnace reactors for catalyst research, and, dissolved gas & fermentation analysis, along with offering nanotechnology systems, quadrupoles for cluster analysis, and, fusion research systems for nuclear, food, aerospace & automotive, chemical & semiconductor, and, pharmaceutical industries.
Anton Paar, founded in 1933 and headquartered in Graz, Austria, is a manufacturer and supplier of analytical instruments Their product range includes density meters for measuring liquid and solid density, concentration meters for analyzing solution concentration, viscosity meters for assessing liquid viscosity, particle size analyzers for measuring particle size in liquids or solids, and chromatography systems for substance separation and identification in mixtures. Anton Paar's products cater to a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical, providing analytical solutions for diverse applications.
Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1875 and based in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier specializing in precision instruments, measuring instruments, and medical equipment. The company's products and solutions cater to various industries, including pharmaceuticals, environmental, and research institutions. For instance, Shimadzu produces analytical and measuring instruments like chromatographs and spectrometers, utilized for quality control as well as research and development in the environment, life science, and pharmaceutical fields. Furthermore, Shimadzu's medical products and systems aid in early disease detection and treatment, particularly for conditions like cancer. Additionally, Shimadzu supports manufacturing activities by providing vacuum equipment and industrial machinery.
Mettler Toledo was incorporated in 1945 in Toledo, Ohio, and is today headquartered in Greifensee, Switzerland. Mettler Toledo is a manufacturer of various analytical instruments for use in laboratories, industrial and manufacturing, and food retailing applications to customers globally. Mettler Toledo offers many products across product lines for uses such as product inspection, process analytics, jewelry scales, moisture analyzers, and software for laboratory weighing. Mettler Toledo also offers numerous accessories such as density kits, hands-free accessories, weighing tables, and weight accessories.
KEP Technologies Group, established in 1996 and headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, is a designer and manufacturer of industrial solutions. The group specializes in the development and production of electronic and/or mechanical parts and subassemblies, and control and test instrumentation. These products are used in various industries, including aeronautical engineering, food processing, and medical equipment manufacturing. The company works with clients to develop prototypes ready for both small and large production runs.
ELTRA GmbH is a manufacturer of elemental analyzers for rapid and accurate analysis. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The company elemental analyzers provide solutions for a wide range of samples and concentrations. The company provide windows-based element software for analysis, calibration, status, and results. The company advanced instruments cater to industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metals, and environmental monitoring. The company is an elemental analyzer for the accurate and rapid analysis of solid materials.
Kindle Tech is a professional laboratory equipment supplier that was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Zhengzhou, China. Its main activity is the supply of laboratory equipment, including analytical instruments, equipment for microbiology, and equipment for environmental analysis. The company also offers a wide range of services, such as installation, calibration, and maintenance. Kindle Tech's products are used by a wide range of customers, including academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and environmental testing laboratories. The organization, through its specialized teamwork and rich experienced engineers, provide custom made service and equipment, custom tailoring hardware and software equipment requirements to worldwide customers.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Instrument Specialists, Inc. |
14.5%
|
2 | Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc. |
9.3%
|
3 | NETZSCH-Gerätebau |
8.6%
|
4 | ELTRA GmbH |
7.7%
|
5 | Kindle Tech |
7.4%
|
6 | Triclinic Labs, Inc. |
6.8%
|
7 | KEP TECHNOLOGIES |
6.5%
|
8 | Linseis, Inc. |
6.5%
|
9 | Rigaku Americas |
5.2%
|
10 | Hiden Analytical |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the thermal analysis equipment page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 8 | 57.1% |
Japan | 2 | 14.3% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 7.1% |
Austria | 1 | 7.1% |
Germany | 1 | 7.1% |
China | 1 | 7.1% |
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