Thermal analysis and microstructure of solids and solid state reactions

Thermoanalytical and microstructural measurement techniques allow the characterization of solids, their transformation, decomposition, specific surface and pore structure. These techniques are of importance for solids with high specific surface and/or porosity. Thermoanalytical techniques are applied to detect solid state reactions, to determine reaction temperatures and to monitor the progress of the reaction. They are useful to simulate thermal processes in the industry and to receive meaningful results with small samples in a short time. Specific surface, cumulative pore volume and pore volume distribution are obtained by intrusion and absorption techniques. Here selected applications of thermoanalytical and microstructure investigations in modern fields of materials research will be presented, as:

-pore analysis of sintering steps of ceramics,

-secondary structure of catalyst granules,

-template decomposition in zeolites,

-firing process in a composide ceramic tape,

-ignition of coke.