ELTRA TGA Thermostep ML Manual Operation Thermogravimetric Analyzer
| Brand | ELTRA |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Model | TGA Thermostep ML |
| Temperature Range | 50–1000 °C |
| Temperature Accuracy | ±1 K |
| Balance Sensitivity | 0.1 µg |
| Maximum Sample Mass | 5 g |
| Simultaneous Sample Capacity | Up to 19 samples |
| Operating Environment | High-temperature inert or oxidative atmospheres (N₂, air, O₂) |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop manual-operation TGA system |
Overview
The ELTRA TGA Thermostep ML is a benchtop thermogravimetric analyzer engineered for precise, reproducible mass-change measurements under controlled thermal conditions. It operates on the fundamental principle of thermogravimetry—monitoring real-time mass variation as a function of temperature or time in a defined atmosphere (e.g., N₂, synthetic air, or O₂). Designed for routine quality control and materials characterization in industrial laboratories and R&D settings, the Thermostep ML delivers robust performance without automated robotics, emphasizing operator control, method flexibility, and mechanical reliability. Its high-temperature capability (up to 1000 °C), sub-microgram balance resolution, and multi-sample carousel enable efficient batch analysis of polymers, ceramics, catalysts, pharmaceutical excipients, and inorganic residues—supporting decomposition kinetics, moisture/volatiles quantification, ash content determination, and oxidation stability assessment per ASTM E1131, ISO 11358, and USP .
Key Features
- Manual operation interface with intuitive parameter programming—users define individual stepwise temperature profiles (isothermal holds, linear ramps, multi-segment heating) for each sample position
- High-stability microbalance with 0.1 µg sensitivity and 5 g maximum load capacity, calibrated traceably to national standards
- 19-position rotating sample carousel enabling unattended sequential analysis without manual intervention between runs
- Programmable atmosphere control via mass flow controllers; compatible with inert (N₂), oxidative (air/O₂), and reducing gas environments
- Heating rate up to 100 °C/min with ±1 K temperature accuracy across the full 50–1000 °C operating range
- Thermocouple-based temperature monitoring with dual-sensor redundancy for cross-verification and drift compensation
- Stainless-steel furnace housing and ceramic sample pans ensure long-term thermal stability and resistance to corrosive off-gases
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The TGA Thermostep ML accommodates solid powders, granules, films, fibers, and pressed pellets—compatible with standard alumina, platinum, or quartz crucibles (diameter ≤ 12 mm). Sample mass range spans 1 mg to 5 g, supporting both high-sensitivity trace analysis and bulk compositional evaluation. All hardware and firmware comply with CE marking requirements (2014/30/EU EMC Directive, 2014/35/EU LVD Directive) and meet essential safety provisions of IEC 61010-1 for laboratory electrical equipment. Data acquisition and storage support audit-trail functionality aligned with GLP and GMP documentation practices, including user login logging, method versioning, and timestamped raw-data archiving.
Software & Data Management
Operation is managed via ELTRA’s proprietary TGA Control Suite—a Windows-based application providing real-time mass/temperature plotting, derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) calculation, and customizable report generation. The software supports export of ASCII and CSV files for post-processing in MATLAB, Origin, or Python-based analytical workflows. Calibration routines include automatic zero-point verification and multi-point weight calibration using certified reference masses. All measurement data are stored with embedded metadata (operator ID, method name, atmospheric conditions, furnace history), satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when deployed with networked authentication and electronic signature modules.
Applications
- Determination of moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and solvent residues in pharmaceutical APIs and excipients per USP
- Quantification of filler content (e.g., CaCO₃, SiO₂) and polymer matrix decomposition in composites and elastomers
- Char yield and ash content analysis in coal, biomass, and waste-derived fuels per ASTM D3174 and ISO 1171
- Thermal stability screening of battery cathode materials (e.g., NMC, LFP) under air and argon
- Decomposition onset temperature and kinetic modeling (e.g., Flynn-Wall-Ozawa) for polymer degradation studies
- In-process QC of catalysts during calcination or regeneration cycles in petrochemical manufacturing
FAQ
Is the TGA Thermostep ML suitable for regulated pharmaceutical environments?
Yes—it supports 21 CFR Part 11-compliant configurations when paired with ELTRA’s optional audit-trail and electronic signature module.
Can I perform isothermal thermogravimetry at 800 °C for extended durations?
Yes—the system maintains stable isothermal conditions at any temperature within its 50–1000 °C range for up to 24 hours with continuous mass monitoring.
What crucible materials are recommended for aggressive atmospheres like chlorine or HF-containing gases?
Platinum crucibles are standard; for highly corrosive applications, users may employ custom quartz or alumina crucibles—consult ELTRA’s application engineering team for compatibility validation.
Does the instrument require external cooling water or compressed air?
No—it uses passive air cooling and does not require auxiliary utilities beyond standard 230 V AC power and gas supply lines.
How is temperature calibration verified during routine operation?
Users can perform in-situ calibration using certified reference materials such as nickel (Curie point at 354 °C) or aluminum oxide (phase transition at 1200 °C), with results logged automatically in the method file.
