A NOVEL THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYZER

This paper describes the design and development of a novel vibrating-r eed technique for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The system can pro vide thermogravimetric data for samples in a well-mixed state, thus ov ercoming the heat transfer problems associated with conventional instr uments. Other advantages include low cost of manufacture, robustness a nd ease of operation. Preliminary data are reported for the thermal de hydration of CuSO4.5H2O, CoSO4.7H2O and NiSO4.7H2O in the range 20-500 -degrees-C. A typical mass resolution for 0.5 g samples is better than +/- 1.5%.