Differential thermal analysis system including dynamic mechanical analysis

A method for determining the temperature-responsive and physical properties of a sample arranged in a furnace chamber, comprising:

• (a) measuring and storing the temperature (T.sub.P) in the chamber adjacent the sample position with the sample removed from the chamber, thereby to obtain a reference temperature (T.sub.R);
• (b) measuring the temperature (T.sub.P) in the chamber adjacent the sample position with the sample arranged in the furnace chamber, thereby to obtain a sample temperature;
• (c) obtaining the difference between said sample temperature and said reference temperature (T.sub.R), thereby to produce a single differential temperature analysis signal (SDTA);
• (d) producing a furnace set point temperature (T.sub.set (t));
• (e) detecting furnace temperature (T.sub.O);
• (f) controlling the temperature of the furnace chamber in accordance with said furnace temperature (T.sub.O) and said furnace set point temperature (T.sub.set (t));
• (g) applying a dimension-varying force (172) to the sample;
• and
• (h) producing a dynamic mechanical analysis signal (DMA) that is a function of the mechanical influence on the sample and the physical reaction of the sample thereon.

A method for determining the temperature-responsive and physical properties of a sample arranged in a furnace, comprising:

• (a) establishing a desired reference set point temperature (T.sub.Rset (t));
• (b) producing a furnace set point temperature (T.sub.set (t)) for controlling the temperature of the furnace (T.sub.O) to cause a temperature at the sample position (T.sub.R) to correspond generally with said desired reference set point temperature (T.sub.Rset (t));
• (c) detecting furnaced temperature (T.sub.O);
• (d) controlling the temperature of the furnace chamber in accordance with said furnace temperature (T.sub.O) and said output set point temperature (T.sub.set (t));
• (e) measuring the temperature (T.sub.P) in the chamber adjacent the sample position with the sample arranged in the furnace chamber, thereby to obtain a sample temperature;
• (f) obtaining the difference between said sample temperature and said desired reference temperature (T.sub.Rset (t)), thereby to produce a single differential temperature analysis signal (SDTA);
• (g) applying a dimension-varying force (172) to the sample;
• and
• (h) producing a dynamic mechanical signal (DMA) that is a function of the mechanical influence on the sample and the physical reaction of the sample thereon.