Thermogravimetry provides a rapid method for the determination of the temperature-decomposition profile of a material.

This practice is useful for quality control, specification acceptance, and research.

This practice shall not be used for product lifetime predications unless a correlation between test results and actual lifetime has been demonstrated. In many cases, multiple mechanisms occur during the decomposition of a material, with one mechanism dominating over one temperature range, and a different mechanism dominating in a different temperature range. Users of this practice are cautioned to demonstrate for their system that any temperature extrapolations are technically sound.

1.1 This practice covers additional treatment of the Arrhenius activation energy data determined by Test Method E1641 to develop a thermal endurance curve and derive a relative thermal index for materials.

1.2 This practice is generally applicable to materials with a well-defined decomposition profile, namely a smooth, continuous mass change with a single maximum rate.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 There is no ISO standard equivalent to this practice.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.