Design, development and application of a thermal analysis mass spectrometer

To supplement the information that can be obtained with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a thermal analysis mass spectrometer system has been developed. In this system, instruments for DSC and TGA are interfaced to a computer-controlled quadrupole mass spectrometer. Configured from traditional equipment modified for this use plus an IBM personal computer, the thermal analysis mass spectrometer provides a new capability in that gaseous by-products can be identified while the parent materials, such as plastics and energetic materials, are undergoing thermal analysis.