Thermal Characterization of Polymers and Polymer Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Thermal analyses (TA) are a set of analytical techniques able to measure and analyze the properties, or their changes, of (synthetic/biobased) polymers, polymeric composites, and of other materials containing a polymeric phase as a function of the temperature (or time) when the material under investigation is subjected to a controlled temperature program.

In the field of polymer science, TA represent an extraordinary useful tool to characterize polymeric materials in a simple and fast way and to investigate a wide variety of their properties during thermal events. It is possible to relate these latter properties to the compositional modifications (polymer blends, presence of fillers, additives, plasticizers, etc.) and to the conditions used for their processing, gaining invaluable information for their production, usage, durability, recycling, and degradation.

Different thermal analysis methods are available for several examination purposes. Among the most commonly employed TA for polymer characterization, there is differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), and dielectric analysis (DEA).

The described techniques, frequently available in most industrial and research laboratories, also have strong potential and wide versatile applications in emerging fields of polymer research, such as polymer-based nanocomposites, polymers for energy applications, biodegradation of polymers, and high-performance polymer composites.

With TA techniques, it is possible to analyze chemical and physical processes related to thermal effects, including glass transition, melting, crystallization, curing reactions, physical aging, evaporation and decomposition processes, stability, interactions with environmental agents, fire retardancy, viscoelastic effects, volumetric and geometrical modifications, and changes in mechanical properties. Modeling and simulation of complex phenomena can be accomplished on the basis of TA data.

This Topical Collection focuses on the thermal analysis and characterization of polymers and polymer composites, on the information that these techniques can provide for optimal production/use/disposal of such materials, and on novel testing methods proposed to highlight properties and features of traditional as well as innovative polymer materials.

Prof. Dr. Mariaenrica Frigione
Collection Editor

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