Discovery TGA

Thermogravimetric Analyzer

Getting Started Guide for

Models 55/550/5500
Revision E Issued July 2020
 Notice

The material contained in this manual, and in the Help for the software used to support this instrument, is
believed adequate for the intended use of the instrument. If the instrument or procedures are used for pur-
poses other than those specified herein, confirmation of their suitability must be obtained from TA Instru-
ments. Otherwise, TA Instruments does not guarantee any results and assumes no obligation or
liability. TA Instruments also reserves the right to revise this document and to make changes without
notice.
TA Instruments may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual prop-
erty covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in written license agreement
from TA Instruments, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents,
trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.
TA Instruments Operating Software, as well as Module, Data Analysis, and Utility Software and their asso-
ciated manuals and TRIOS Help, are proprietary and copyrighted by TA Instruments. Purchasers are
granted a license to use these software programs on the module and controller with which they were pur-
chased. These programs may not be duplicated by the purchaser without the prior written consent of TA
Instruments. Each licensed program shall remain the exclusive property of TA Instruments, and no rights
or licenses are granted to the purchaser other than as specified above.
TA Instruments can accept no liability for loss or damage, however caused, arising from the faulty or
incorrect use of its products.TA Instruments shall not be liable for any damages caused by interactions
between exogenous materials (e.g. chemicals) and parts of the instrument. This includes interactions of
gaseous, liquid or solid materials with parts of the instrument.

©2020 by
TA Instruments — Waters LLC
159 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 2

Introduction

Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement

Please click the TA Manual Supplement link to access the following important information supplemental
to this Getting Started Guide:
• TA Instruments Trademarks
• TA Instruments Patents
• Other Trademarks
• TA Instruments End-User License Agreement
• TA Instruments Offices

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 3

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
This manual uses NOTES, CAUTIONS, and WARNINGS to emphasize important and critical
instructions. In the body of the manual these may be found in the shaded box on the outside of the page.

NOTE: A NOTE highlights important information about equipment or procedures.

CAUTION: A CAUTION emphasizes a procedure that may damage equipment or cause loss of data
if not followed correctly.

MISE EN GARDE: UNE MISE EN GARDE met l'accent sur une procédure susceptible d'endom-
mager l'équipement ou de causer la perte des données si elle n'est pas correctement suivie.

A WARNING indicates a procedure that may be hazardous to the operator or to the environment
if not followed correctly.

Un AVERTISSEMENT indique une procédure qui peut être dangereuse pour l'opérateur ou l'envi-
ronnement si elle n'est pas correctement suivie.

Regulatory Compliance

Safety Standards
For Canada
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1-12 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control,
and laboratory use, Part 1: General Requirements.
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-2-010-04 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of
materials.
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-2-081-04 Particular requirements for automatic and semi-automatic labora-
tory equipment for analysis and other purposes.
For European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26
February 2014 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on
the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.)
EN 61010-1:2010 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory
use, Part 1: General Requirements.
EN 61010-2-010:2014 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials.
EN 61010-2-081:2015 Particular requirements for automatic and semi-automatic laboratory equipment for
analysis and other purposes.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 4

For United States
UL61010-1:2012 Electrical Equipment for Laboratory Use; Part 1: General Requirements.
UL61010-2-010:2015 Particular requirements for laboratory equipment for the heating of materials.
UL 61010-2-081:2015 Particular requirements for automatic and semi-automatic laboratory equipment for
analysis and other purposes.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards

For Australia and New Zealand
AS/NZS CISPR11:2015 Limits and methods of measurement of electronic disturbance characteristics of
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio frequency equipment.
For Canada
ICES-001 Issue 4 June 2006 Interference-Causing Equipment Standard: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical
Radio Frequency Generators.
For the European Economic Area
(In accordance with Council Directive 2014/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26
February 2014 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic
compatibility.)
EN61326-1: 2013 Electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use - EMC requirements
- Part 1: General requirements, Table 3 - Immunity test requirements for equipment used in controlled EM
environments, Emission requirements for Group 1, Class A equipment.
For the United States
CFR Title 47 Telecommunication Chapter I Federal Communications Commission, Part 15 Radio
frequency devices (FCC regulation pertaining to radio frequency emissions).
CAUTION: This equipment is not intended for use in residential environments and may not provide
adequate protection to radio reception in such environments.

MISE EN GARDE: Cet appareil n'a pas destiné à être utilisé dans des environnements résidentiels et
ne peut pas fournir une protection adéquate à la réception radio dans de tels environnements.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 5

Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Information
Unique Identifier:
Discovery TGA 5500: 956000.901
Discovery TGA 550: 956500.901
Discovery TGA 550 Auto Advanced: 956500.904
Discovery TGA 550 Auto: 956500.902
Discovery TGA 550 Advanced: 956500.903
Discovery TGA 55: 956450.901
Responsible Party:
TA Instruments
159 Lukens Drive
New Castle, DE 19720
302-427-4000
www.tainstruments.com
FCC Compliance Statement:
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 6

Safety

WARNING: The operator of this instrument is advised that if the equipment is used in a manner
not specified in this manual, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.

AVERTISSEMENT: L'utilisateur de cet instrument est prévenu qu'en cas d'utilisation contraire
aux indications du manuel, la protection offerte par l'équipement peut être altérée.

Instrument Symbols
The following labels are displayed on the Discovery TGA system for your protection:

Symbol Explanation

This symbol indicates that you should read this Getting Started Guide for
important safety information. This guide contains important warnings and cau-
tions related to the installation, operation, and safety of the Discovery TGA sys-
tem.

If you are not trained in electrical procedures, do not remove the cabinet covers
unless specifically instructed to do so in the manual. Maintenance and repair of
internal parts must be performed only by TA Instruments or other qualified
service personnel.

Ce symbole indique que vous devez lire entièrement ce guide de démarrage

pour obtenir d'importantes informations relatives à sécurité. Ce guide contient
d'importants avertissements et mises en garde relatifs à l'installation, à l'utilisa-
tion et à la sécurité du système Discovery TGA.

Si vous n'êtes pas formé aux procédures électriques, ne déposez pas les couver-
cles de l'armoire sauf indications spécifiques contenues dans le manuel. La
maintenance et la réparation des pièces internes doivent être effectuées unique-
ment par TA Instruments ou tout autre personnel d'entretien qualifié.

This symbol indicates that a hot surface may be present. Take care not to touch
this area or allow any material that may melt or burn come in contact with this
hot surface.

Ce symbole indique la présence possible d'une surface chaude. Prenez soin de

ne pas toucher cette zone ou de laisser un matériau susceptible de fondre ou de
brûler entrer en contact avec cette surface chaude.

Please heed the warning labels and take the necessary precautions when dealing with those parts of the
instrument. The Discovery TGA Getting Started Guide contains cautions and warnings that must be
followed for your own safety.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 7

Electrical Safety
You must unplug the instrument before doing any maintenance or repair work; voltages as high as
120/240 VAC are present in the instrument.

DANGER: Risk of electric shock. High voltages are present in this instrument. Maintenance and
repair of internal parts must be performed only by TA Instruments or other qualified service per-
sonnel.

DANGER: Risque de choc électrique. Présence de tensions élevées dans cet instrument. La
maintenance et la réparation des pièces internes doivent être effectuées uniquement par TA
Instruments ou tout autre personnel d'entretien qualifié.

WARNING: Protective earthing is provided through the mains power cord. Use of a grounded
mains power outlet is required.

AVERTISSEMENT: Mise à la terre de protection est assurée par le cordon d'alimentation secteur.
Utilisation d'une prise d'alimentation secteur terre est nécessaire.

Chemical Safety

WARNING: Do not use hydrogen or any other explosive gas in the TGA furnace.

AVERTISSEMENT: N'utilisez pas d'hydrogène ou tout autre gaz explosif dans le four TGA.

WARNING: Oxygen can be used as a purge gas in the TGA. However, the furnace must be kept
clean so that volatile hydrocarbons, which may combust, are removed.

AVERTISSEMENT: L'oxygène peut être utilisé comme gaz de drainage dans le TGA. Toutefois le
four doit rester propre pour que les hydrocarbures volatils, qui peuvent brûler, soient éliminés.

WARNING: If you are using samples that may emit harmful gases, attach a compatible tube to
the purge gas exit to transfer the gas to an exhaust or other suitable protective device.

AVERTISSEMENT: Si vous utilisez des échantillons qui émettent des gaz nocifs, fixez un tuyau
compatible à la sortie du gaz de drainage pour transférer le gaz vers un échappement ou vers
tout autre dispositif de protection approprié.

Thermal Safety

WARNING: After running an experiment, allow the open furnace and thermocouple to cool down
before you touch them. Allow the furnace to cool down before removing the lower furnace (ther-
mocouple) assembly of the 5500.

AVERTISSEMENT: Après une expérience, laissez le four ouvert et le thermocouple refroidir

avant de les toucher. Laissez le four refroidir avant de déposer l'ensemble du four inférieur
(thermocouple) assemblage de la 5500.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 8

Mechanical Safety

WARNING: Keep your fingers and all other objects out of the path of the furnace when it is mov-
ing. The seal is very tight.

AVERTISSEMENT: Écartez vos doigts et tous les autres objets du chemin du four lorsqu'il est en
mouvement. L'étanchéité est très hermétique.

Lifting the Instrument

The Discovery TGA is a heavy instrument. In order to avoid injury, particularly to the back, please follow
this advice:

WARNING: Use two people to lift and/or carry the instrument. The instrument is too heavy for
one person to handle safely.

AVERTISSEMENT: Demandez à deux personnes de soulever et/ou de porter l'instrument.

L'instrument est trop lourd pour qu'une seule personne le manipule en toute sécurité.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 9

 Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Important: TA Instruments Manual Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Instrument Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Electrical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Chemical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Thermal Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mechanical Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Lifting the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 1: Introducing the Discovery TGA ................................................................................................ 13

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
TGA System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Balance Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Wire-Wound Furnace for TGA 55 and TGA 550 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
EGA Furnace for TGA 55 and TGA 550 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Infrared (IR) Furnace for TGA 5500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Discovery TGA Autoloader or Autosampler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Hi-Res™ TGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Modulated TGA™ (MTGA™) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Other Discovery TGA Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The Discovery TGA User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Primary Function Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
View Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Additional Function Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Instrument Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Discovery TGA Instrument Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Discovery TGA Sampling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Chapter 2: Installing the Discovery TGA System ....................................................................................... 27

Unpacking/Repacking the TGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Installing the Discovery TGA System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Inspecting the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Choosing a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Near . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Away from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Preparing the Discovery TGA for Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Removing the Shipping Bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 10

 Unpacking the Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Connecting the Discovery TGA to the Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Setting Up System Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting Lines to the Gas Delivery Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting Purge Gas Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connecting the Air Cool Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Connecting the Heat Exchanger Cable and Water Hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Connecting the Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Installing the Autosampler Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Installing the Hang-Down Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Installing the Tare Hang-Down Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Installing the Upper Reflective Assembly and Sample Hang-Down Wire on the TGA 5500 . . . 41
Installing the Sample Hang-Down Wire on the TGA 55 and TGA 550 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Leveling the Discovery TGA and Aligning the Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Leveling the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Aligning the Sample Hang-Down Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Aligning the Bottom of the Sample Hang-Down Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Installing the Lower Furnace Assembly on the TGA 5500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Closing the Balance Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Balance Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Filling the Heat Exchanger Reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Purging Air from the Heat Exchanger System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Installing the Autosampler Tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Starting the Discovery TGA System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Shutting Down the Discovery TGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Chapter 3: Use, Maintenance, & Diagnostics ............................................................................................. 57

Using the Discovery TGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Calibrating the Discovery TGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Autosampler and Autoloader Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Weight Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Temperature Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Running a Discovery TGA Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Selecting the Pan Size and Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Taring the Sample Pan(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Loading the Sample Pans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Loading Open Pans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Loading Sealed Pans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Starting an Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Stopping an Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Removing or Reinstalling a Wire-wound or EGA Furnace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Furnace Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Furnace Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Maintaining the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Conditioning the Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Cleaning the Furnace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Cleaning the Pans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 11

 Cleaning the User Interface Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Replacing Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Maintaining the Heat Exchanger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 12

Chapter 1:
Introducing the Discovery TGA

Overview
Your TA Instruments Discovery Thermogravimetric Analyzer (Discovery TGA) is used in conjunction
with a controller computer and associated software to make up a thermal analysis system.
The Discovery TGA measures the amount and rate of weight change in a material, either as a function of
increasing temperature or isothermally as a function of time, in a controlled atmosphere. The TGA can be
used to characterize any material that exhibits a weight change and to detect phase changes due to decom-
position, oxidation, or dehydration. This information helps the scientist or engineer identify the percent
weight change and correlate chemical structure, processing, and end-use performance.
Your controller is a computer that performs the following functions:
• Provides an interface between you and the analysis instrument
• Enables you to set up experiments and enter parameters
• Stores experimental data
• Runs data analysis programs.

Figure 1 Discovery TGA system (TGA 5500 shown).

NOTE: For technical reference information, theory of operation, and other information associated with the
TGA not found in this manual, see TRIOS software Help.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 13

TGA System Components
The Discovery TGA is comprised of the following major hardware components:
• The Tru-Mass™ balance, which provides precise measurement of sample weight. The balance is the
key to the TGA system.
• The heating system, or furnace (wire-wound for TGA 55 and TGA 550, infrared for TGA 5500),
which controls the sample temperature.
• The Autoloader or Autosampler, which loads and unloads the sample to and from the balance. The
Autosampler platform has a built-in pan punching mechanism (standard on the TGA 5500 and optional
on the TGA 550) that is used in conjunction with the optional sealed aluminum pans (also standard on
the TGA 5500 and optional on the TGA 550).
• The heat exchanger, which dissipates heat from the furnace.
• The gas delivery module (GDM), which controls the purge gas to the balance and furnace.
The next few pages briefly describe the components of the TGA.

Balance Assembly
The TGA balance assembly is a null balance system consisting of the balance meter movement, the bal-
ance arm, the balance position sensor, the hang-down wire assemblies, the sample pan, and the tare pan.
• The balance meter movement is a taut-band meter movement to which the balance arm is attached.
• The balance arm is an assembly constructed of beryllium copper alloy attached to the meter move-
ment.
• The balance position sensor is comprised of an LED source and a pair of photodiodes on printed circuit
boards that detect the null position of the meter movement.
The TGA has two hang-down wire assemblies: one for the tare pan and one for the sample pan. Each
assembly consists of a hang-down wire and beryllium copper decoupler loop. The hang-down wire has
hooks on each end used to connect the pan to the loop. The loop connects the hang-down wire to the
balance arm. The longer hang-down wire is for the sample side.
The tare hang-down wire, tare pan, and any counterbalance weight mechanically balances the weight of the
sample pan and sample hang-down wire.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 14

Wire-Wound Furnace for TGA 55 and TGA 550
The wire-wound furnace comes installed on the Discovery TGA 55 and TGA 550. The wire-wound and
EGA furnaces can be exchanged as directed in the Help. The wire-wound furnace is a resistance heater
wound on alumina ceramic, which allows sample zone temperatures as high as 1,000°C with heating rates
up to 100°C/min. The housing is mounted to a furnace base that raises and lowers the furnace for sample
loading and unloading. A Platinel II® thermocouple is positioned in the furnace, just above the sample
pan, where it monitors the sample environment temperature.

Figure 2 Wire-wound furnace cut-away diagram.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 15

EGA Furnace for TGA 55 and TGA 550
The Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) furnace is an optional accessory for the Discovery TGA 55 and TGA
550 that allows you to connect a spectrometer to the instrument so that the gases evolved by sample
decomposition can be analyzed. The EGA furnace and the Wire-wound furnace can be exchanged as
directed in the Help.

Quartz tube

Water-cooled furnace housing

Electric resistance heater

Furnace base

Figure 3 EGA furnace cut-away diagram.

The EGA furnace consists of a quartz glass sample tube surrounded by an electric resistance heater, both of
which are contained within a water-cooled furnace housing. The housing is mounted to a furnace base that
raises and lowers the furnace for sample loading and unloading.
The sample tube has a purge gas inlet that passes through the right side of the furnace housing. A fitting on
the left side of the housing allows connection of a transfer line to carry exhaust gas to a spectrometer such
as a mass spectrometer. Because the heater is external to the sample tube, evolved gases from sample
decomposition within the sample tube do not come in contact with the resistance elements or the furnace
ceramic refractory.
Cooling air enters through the furnace base and passes upward between the outside of the sample tube and
the inside of the furnace, completely separating the cooling air from the sample and the sample zone. The
furnace is a resistance heater wound on alumina ceramic, which allows sample zone temperatures as high
as 1000°C with heating rates up to 50°C/min. A Platinel II® thermocouple is positioned in the furnace, just
above the sample pan, where it monitors the sample environment temperature.
The furnace base moves the furnace assembly up around the sample pan to the closed position, or down
away from the sample pan to the open position.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 16

Infrared (IR) Furnace for TGA 5500
The IR furnace (shown below) uses quartz halogen lamps as the heat source. Four lamps are arranged in a
circular pattern surrounding the quartz tube that encloses the sample area. Infrared energy from the lamps
is directed toward the sample area by a water-cooled, gold-plated reflector consisting of four elliptical
surfaces.
The sample area is enclosed by a cylinder inside of the quartz tube. This cylinder absorbs radiation from
the lamps and heats the sample, pan, and thermocouple.

Heat shields

Sample pan
Purge gas inlet
Purge gas outlet
Quartz tube
Thermocouple

Energy-absorbing
cylinder

Figure 4 IR furnace cut-away diagram.

Temperature is measured and controlled by a thermocouple assembly under the sample pan. The thermo-
couple assembly includes a second independent thermocouple to protect the furnace from excessive
temperature.
Heat shield assemblies above and below the energy-absorbing tube reduce heat losses from the ends of the
furnace.
Purge gas enters the sample area through a tube within the quartz tube, passes through a hole in the wall of
the absorber across the top of the sample pan, through another hole in the wall of the absorber, and exits via
a second tube in the quartz tube.
A magnetic coil surrounding the furnace generates a field that acts on magnetic samples in the sample pan.
This facilitates automated temperature calibration using Curie point standards and Curie point studies.
Rapid cooling of the furnace at the end of an experiment is facilitated by air that enters the furnace cham-
ber through the bottom of the furnace.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 17

Discovery TGA Autoloader or Autosampler
Autoloader
The TGA 55 and TGA 550 come standard with an Autoloader (shown below) that automatically loads the
pan at the touch of a button or at the start of the run. On the TGA 550 the Autoloader can be upgraded to
the Autosampler.

Figure 5 Autoloader.

To calibrate the Autoloader, refer to TRIOS Help.

Autosampler
The Discovery TGA Autosampler (shown below) allows you to place multiple samples on the platform for
automatic loading and run sequencing. Using the standard pan tray, up to 25 samples can be accommo-
dated. Experiments are performed as normal, but samples can be run on a continual basis.
See “Discovery TGA Sampling System” on page 26 for the pans that can be used with the Discovery TGA
Autosampler:

Figure 6 Discovery TGA Autosampler (Discovery TGA 550 shown).

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 18

The sample can be sealed in a special aluminum pan and opened (exposed to the environment) immedi-
ately before being loaded into the balance via the Autosampler’s optional punching mechanism. The
punching mechanism ensures that only punched pans are loaded onto the balance. If punching is not suc-
cessful, the pan will not be loaded.

Figure 7 Optional punching mechanism.

To calibrate the sample tray and punching mechanism, refer to “Calibrating the Discovery TGA” on
page 58 of this manual and TRIOS Help.

Hi-Res™ TGA
The TA Instruments Hi-Res™ TGA technique differs from alternative control techniques in that the heating
rate of the sample material is dynamically and continuously modified in response to changes in the rate of
decomposition of the sample so as to optimize both weight change resolution and time of analysis. This
TGA technique (supplied with the Discovery TGA 5500, available as an upgrade for TGA 550) allows the
use of very high heating rates in baseline regions where no weight changes are occurring, but automatically
slows the heating rate during weight changes. Once the weight change(s) are complete, the system returns
to the selected ramp heating rate. Typical Hi-Res ramps often take the same or less time to complete than a
comparable constant heating rate experiment run at a lower heating rate, while providing improved resolu-
tion.
Some of the benefits provided by the Hi-Res option are:
• Improved transition resolution
• Faster scans
• Enhanced signature analysis capability
• Transition temperatures closer to isothermal values
• Increased method programming versatility

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 19

Modulated TGA™ (MTGA™)
TA Instruments Modulated TGA (MTGA) is an innovative option that is used with Thermogravimetric
Analyzers. This option is used to study the same decomposition or volatilization properties as conventional
TGA. However, MTGA provides unique capabilities that increase the amount of information obtained
from a single TGA experiment, thereby improving the quality of interpretation.
These unique capabilities include:
• continuous determination of activation energy
• verification of single kinetic mechanism
• verification of first-order kinetic model.
MTGA is an enhancement of TGA that provides the same information as traditional TGA, plus new infor-
mation that permits unique insights into the behavior of the weight loss reaction.
Specifically, MTGA provides an alternative way to obtain kinetic information about one or more weight
losses, in a shorter period of time than the multiple heating rate approach.
In addition, MTGA provides continuous determined values for activation energy throughout the weight
loss reaction, not just at specific reaction levels. The ability to obtain activation energy continuously allows
you to follow changes in the activation energy during the reaction, as a function of temperature or
conversion. The calculation of activation energy is “model free” – no knowledge about the form of the
kinetic equation is required.
The assumption of a first-order kinetic model (a reasonable assumption for many decomposition
reactions), permits the calculation of natural logarithm of the pre-exponential factor in the same manner as
the continuous determination of activation energy.

Other Discovery TGA Accessories

The TGA can be interfaced with many standard analytical accessories offered by various manufacturers
such as FTIR spectrometers, mass spectrometers, gas chromatographs, and evolved gas analyzers.
For the TGA 5500, to assist in the performance of mass spectrometer analysis and to prevent condensation
between the IR furnace and the transfer line to the other coupled instrument, the standard connector at the
outlet can be replaced by an optional heated connector. Purge gas, exiting the balance chamber above the
furnace, exits by the same route.
If desired, a vacuum pump can be connected to the standard 1/4-inch Swagelok connector of the IR furnace
or the 1/8-inch Swagelok connector of the EGA furnace at the furnace gas outlet.
Consult the appropriate local instrument manufacturer for further information.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 20

The Discovery TGA User Interface
The Discovery TGA includes an integrated user interface display for local operator control. The functions
of the user interface change depending upon the view displayed. This section briefly describes the basic
layout of these functions.
Status line

View panel

Primary function buttons

Figure 8 Discovery TGA user interface display (TGA 5500 shown).

The instrument user interface has three basic sections:

• The status line along the top of the display indicates the current instrument status and sample tempera-
ture.
• The primary function buttons allow for easy access of common functions.
• View panel allows for real-time instrument status and associated actions.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 21

Primary Function Buttons
Use the following buttons for the main functions of the instrument.

Table 1: Primary Function Buttons on the User Interface

Key Name Description

Start Begins the currently-programmed experiment. This is the same function

as Start on the instrument control software. Start automatically loads
the selected sample pan and closes the furnace, if necessary, before
beginning the experiment.

Stop If an experiment is running, this button ends the method normally, as

though it had run to completion; i.e., the method-end conditions go into
effect and the data that has been generated is saved. This is the same
function as Stop on the instrument control software. If an experiment is
not running (the instrument is in a standby or method-end state), the
Stop button will halt any activity (air cool, all mechanical motion, etc.).
If an Autosampler sequence is in progress, Stop will halt the sequence.

Furnace Open/Close Toggles between opening and closing the TGA furnace.

Tare Autoloader: Zeros the weight of an empty sample pan.

Autosampler: Displays a screen that allows you to choose the sample

pan to tare.

Pan Load/Unload Autoloader: Loads and unloads a sample pan.

Autosampler: Displays a screen that allows you to choose the pan posi-
tion to load/unload.

Back Returns you to the previous page used

Home Returns you to the Main screen.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 22

View Panel
The view panel provides real-time instrument status and additional functionality pertinent to the selected
operation. A list of available functions is described below.

Table 2: View Panel Functions on the User Interface

Button Name Description

System Info Displays instrument information such as the serial number, IP configu-
ration, and network configuration.

Signals User can select signals to display the real-time signal data generated
directly from the instrument.

Settings Displays options for manual controls, such as Event, Air Cool, and Heat
Exchanger.

Autosampler/Autoloader Autosampler: Displays a graphical representation of the Autosampler

tray, indicating the status of the active sequence (e.g., which pan posi-
tions have been configured in the active sequence and which runs are
active or pending). In addition, this panel provides access to other
Autosampler operations such as calibration functions and utilities (man-
ually loading pans).

Autoloader: Provides access to calibration, load/unload pan, and reset

operations.

Method Provides a summary of the sample and method information for the cur-
rent run and allows the user to manually advance the method.

Utilities Displays system health and shut down button.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 23

Additional Function Buttons

Button Name Description

Help The Help button can be found on the lower right side of some screens,
and displays information regarding use of the currently displayed touch-
screen.

Motion Stop Displayed while the Autosampler or furnace is in motion. Pressing this
button will stop the motion.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 24

Instrument Specifications
The tables found below contain the technical specifications for the Discovery TGA 55, TGA 550, and
TGA 5500 units and sampling system.

Discovery TGA Instrument Characteristics

Table 3: Discovery TGA Technical Specifications

Item/Area Specifications

Dimensions Depth: 56 cm (22 in)

Width: 56 cm (22 in)
Height: 61 cm (24 in)

Weight of instrument 34 kg (76 lbs)

Mains Power 100–240 VAC

47–63 Hz
1200 W

Operating environmental conditions Temperature: 15 to 35°C

Relative humidity: 5 to 80% (non-condensing)
Installation Category II
Pollution Degree 2
Maximum altitude: 2000 m
The degree of protection for this instrument according to
EN 60529 is IP20.

Temperature range
TGA 55 Room temperature to 1000°C
TGA 550 Room temperature to 1000°C
TGA 5500 Room temperature to 1200°C

Purge gases Helium, nitrogen, oxygen, air, argon

Purge flow rate Up to 500 mL/min. Recommended flow rates are:

• Wire-wound furnace: 60 mL/min for sample, 40
mL/min for balance
• EGA furnace: 90 mL/min for sample, 10 mL/min
for balance
• IR furnace: 25 mL/min for sample, 10 mL/min
for balance

Thermocouple Platinel II*

Heating rate TGA 5500: Linear heating rates from 0.1 to 500°C/min
(Ballistic heating > 1500°C/min)

TGA 55 and TGA 550:

• Wire-wound furnace linear heating rates from 0.1
to 100°C/min.
• EGA furnace linear heating rates from 0.1 to
50°C/min.

**Platinel II is a registered trademark of Engelhard Industries.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 25

 WARNING: Do not use corrosive gases, hydrogen, or any other explosive gas in the TGA fur-
nace.

AVERTISSEMENT: N'utilisez pas de gaz corrosifs, d'hydrogène ou tout autre gaz explosif dans
le four TGA.

WARNING: Oxygen can be used as a purge gas in the TGA. However, if you use oxygen as a
purge gas, you must make sure the furnace is cleaned of hydrocarbons that could combust.

AVERTISSEMENT: L'oxygène peut être utilisé comme gaz de drainage dans le TGA. Toutefois le
four doit rester propre pour que les hydrocarbures volatils, qui peuvent brûler, soient éliminés.

Discovery TGA Sampling System

The following tables contain the specifications associated with the TGA sample pans, balance mechanism,
and furnace.

Table 4: Sample Pan Options for 25-Pan Tray

Item/Area Specifications

Types of pans available Platinum, ceramic (Al2O3), aluminum

Volume capacity and temperature range 20 µL Sealed aluminum (to 600°C)

50 µL Platinum (to 1000°C)
80 µL Aluminum (bottom of sealed pan, to 600°C)
100 µL Platinum (to 1000°C)
100 µL Platinum-HT (to 1000°C)
100 µL Ceramic (to 1200°C)
250 µL Ceramic (to 1200°C)

Number of pans per tray 25 Pans

Table 5: Balance Mechanism

Item/Area Specifications

Weighing capacity (sample) 1.0 gram

Dynamic weighing range Low range: 100 mg

High range: 1000 mg

Resolution 0.01 µg

Accuracy < + 0.1% of value or 10 µg, whichever is greater

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 26

Chapter 2:
Installing the Discovery TGA System

Unpacking/Repacking the TGA

The instructions needed to unpack and repack the instrument are found as separate unpacking instructions
in the shipping box and in the Help associated with the instrument control software. You may wish to retain
all of the shipping hardware, pallets, and boxes from the instrument in the event you wish to repack and
ship your instrument.

WARNING: Have an assistant help you unpack this unit. Do not attempt to do this alone.

AVERTISSEMENT: Faites-vous aider par une personne pour dépoter cet appareil. N'essayez pas
de le faire tout seul.

Installing the Discovery TGA System

Before shipment, the TGA is inspected both electrically and mechanically so that it is ready for operation
upon proper installation. Installation involves the following procedures:
1 Inspecting the system for shipping damage and missing parts
2 Choosing a location for instrument installation
3 Preparing the Discovery TGA for installation, which includes removing the shipping bracket and
unpacking the balance
4 Setting up system communication between the instrument and computer (controller)
5 Connecting purge gas lines to the GDM
6 Connecting the heat exchanger cable and water lines
7 Connecting the TGA power cable
8 Installing the Upper Reflective Assembly (TGA 5500 only)
9 Installing the Autosampler tray
10 Installing the hang-down wires
11 Leveling the instrument and aligning the hang-down wires
12 Installing the lower furnace assembly (TGA 5500 only)
13 Closing up the balance and conditioning the balance
14 Filling the heat exchanger reservoir and purging the heat exchanger system of air
It is recommended that you have your TGA installed by a TA Instruments Service Representative; call for
an installation appointment when you receive your instrument.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 27

CAUTION: To avoid mistakes, read this entire chapter before you begin installation.

MISE EN GARDE: Pour éviter de commettre des erreurs, lisez tout le chapitre avant de commencer
l'installation.

Inspecting the System

When you receive your Discovery TGA system, look over the instrument and shipping container carefully
for signs of shipping damage, and check the parts received against the enclosed shipping list.
• If the instrument is damaged, notify the carrier and TA Instruments immediately.
• If the instrument is intact but parts are missing, contact TA Instruments.

Choosing a Location
Because of the ultra-high sensitivity of the Discovery TGA microbalance, it is important to choose a
suitable location for the instrument using the following guidelines. The Discovery TGA system should be:

In
• A temperature-controlled area. Temperatures should be in range 20 to 35°C.
• A clean, vibration-free environment, preferably on the ground floor in the building. It should be
located away from pumps, motors, or other devices which produce vibrations.
• An area with ample working and ventilation space.

On
• A stable work surface. A marble table is recommended for optimum performance. Isolation mounts on
a standard lab bench are not recommended.

Near
• A power outlet (120 Vac, 50 or 60 Hz, 15 amps; or 230 Vac, 50 or 60 Hz, 10 amps).
• Your TA Instruments controller.
• Compressed lab air and purge gas supplies with suitable regulators and filters, if required.

Away from
• Dusty environments.
• Exposure to direct sunlight.
• Direct air drafts (fans, room air ducts).
• Poorly ventilated areas.
• Noisy or mechanical vibrations.
• High traffic areas, where constant movements from passing personnel could create air currents or
mechanical disturbances.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 28

NOTE: Allow free air to circulate around both enclosures. Do not place equipment against walls or
cabinets that might impede air flow. Leave at least 7.5 cm (3 in) clearance around the Discovery TGA.

WARNING: For safety, position the equipment in a manner that allows access to the power cord
for emergency disconnection.

AVERTISSEMENT: Par mesure de sécurité, placez l'équipement de sorte qu'il permette d'accéder
facilement au cordon d'alimentation en cas de débranchement d'urgence.

Preparing the Discovery TGA for Installation

After the TGA instrument has been removed from the box and placed on the bench, use these steps to pre-
pare your instrument for installation:

Removing the Shipping Bracket

This step is also covered in the unpacking instruction sheet shipped with the instrument. It is repeated here
for your convenience, or in the event that the step was not completed previously.
To remove the shipping bracket:
1 Cut the wire-tie securing the air cool line to the water circulator tubing, then loosen the foot of the furnace
shipping bracket. See the figure below.

Shipping bracket

Air cool line secured to

water circulator tubing

Loosen shipping bracket

here

Figure 9 Shipping bracket on Discovery TGA (TGA 5500 shown).

2 Raise the foot of the bracket and remove the entire bracket.
3 Retain this bracket in case the instrument needs to be shipped in the future.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 29

Unpacking the Balance
After removing the bracket, you can proceed to unpack the balance. This very important procedure must
be completed before you can use the Discovery TGA.
1 Carefully remove the balance housing cover by loosening the screws.

Figure 10 Removing the balance housing cover.

2 Loosen the thumbscrews and remove the balance cover shown in the figure below.

Figure 11 Loosen thumbscrews.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 30

3 Using tweezers, compress the foam and rotate it 90 degrees to eliminate contact with the beam. Gently
remove the foam inserts from the sample and tare sides, being careful not to touch the balance. Refer to
the figure below.

Carefully remove this foam

Figure 12 Removing the foam inserts.

4 Put the balance cover back into place, tightening the screws to secure it. See Figure 11 above.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 31

Connecting the Discovery TGA to the Controller
To connect the TGA system, you will need access to the Discovery TGA instrument’s back panel.
NOTE: Connect all cables before connecting the power cord to an outlet.
CAUTION: Whenever plugging or unplugging power cords, handle them by the plugs, not by the
cords.

MISE EN GARDE: Chaque fois que vous branchez ou débranchez les cordons d'alimentation,
tenez-les par les fiches et non par les cordons.

WARNING: Protect power and communications cable paths. Do not create tripping hazards by
laying the cables across access ways.

AVERTISSEMENT: Protégez les chemins de câble électriques et de câbles de télécommunica-

tion. Ne créez pas de risques de déclenchement en posant des câbles sur les voies d'accès.

The Discovery TGA back panel has fifteen ports; the table below provides a description of the function of
each port.

Table 6: Discovery TGA Back Panel

Port Function

Power Entry Module (power cord and switch) Provides power and protective earthing to the system.

Fuses Provides overcurrent protection.

REACTIVE GAS Port for introducing an additional gas directly into the
vicinity of the sample and reference. External flow regulation
required. Maximum pressure is 140 kPa gauge (20 psig).

GAS 1 Gas inlet port controlled by the gas delivery module. Used for
the sample and balance purge gas. Maximum pressure is
140 kPa gauge (20 psig).

GAS 2 Gas inlet port controlled by the gas delivery module. Used for
the secondary sample purge gas. Maximum pressure is
140 kPa gauge (20 psig).

COOLING GAS Provides the furnace with air for post-run cooling. Maximum
pressure is 140 kPa gauge (20 psig).

RS-232 Port Provides communications with external accessories.

CAN Communications Port Provides communications with external accessories.

Ethernet Provides communication between controller and TGA

instrument.

USB 2.0 Port Provides communications with external accessories.

Micro USB 2.0 Port Provides communications for external accessories.

SD memory card slot For TA Instruments Service use only.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 32

Table 6: Discovery TGA Back Panel

Port Function

Audio Jack External speaker communication

EVENT Capable of providing a general purpose relay contact closure.

24 VDC OUT Enables control of heat exchanger.

WARNING: If connecting oxygen, it should ONLY be connected to the GAS 2 and REACTIVE
GAS ports.

AVERTISSEMENT: En cas de connexion de l'oxygène, il ne doit être connecté aux ports GAS 2 et
gaz réactif.

24 VDC OUT

EVENT
STATUS LEDs
Audio Jack
SD card slot
USB micro
USB

ETHERNET

RS232

CAN
REACTIVE
Fuses GAS
POWER ENTRY GAS 2 GAS 1
MODULE
COOLING GAS

Figure 13 Discovery TGA rear panel connections.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 33

Setting Up System Communication
In order to connect the instrument to a network, you will need to connect the controller computer to a
router, then connect the computer to a LAN.
Refer to the TRIOS Software Installation Instructions for more details.

Connecting Lines to the Gas Delivery Module

DANGER: The gas delivery module (GDM) o-rings (on the interior of the GDM) are sealed using
Krytox® vacuum grease. This grease may be harmful or fatal if ingested. Avoid contact with eyes
and skin. For additional important safety information, refer to the Krytox MSDS.

DANGER: Les joints toriques (à l'intérieur du GDM) du module d'alimentation en gaz (GDM) sont
scellés à l'aide de la graisse à vide Krytox®. En cas d'ingestion, cette graisse peut être nocive
ou fatale. Évitez tout contact avec la peau et les yeux. Pour obtenir des renseignements supplé-
mentaires sur la sécurité, reportez-vous à la fiche technique santé-sécurité du Krytox.

It is important to accurately control the sample atmosphere during Discovery TGA experiments. This is
achieved by connecting purge gases to the system. Purge gas is distributed separately to two parts of the
TGA: the furnace (sample) and the balance chamber. The Discovery TGA is equipped with Gas Delivery
Manifold (GDM) to control the flow rates of the gases. Nitrogen is typically used for GAS 1. Follow these
instructions to connect the purge lines. Refer to Figure 13 for gas port locations.
Connecting Purge Gas Lines
CAUTION: Do not use any liquid in the purge lines.
MISE EN GARDE: N'utilisez aucun liquide dans les conduites de gaz de drainage.

WARNING: Use of flammable or explosive gas as a purge gas is dangerous and is not
recommended for this instrument.

AVERTISSEMENT: L'utilisation d'un gaz inflammable ou explosif comme gaz de drainage est
dangereuse et n'est pas recommandée pour cet instrument.

NOTE: If you are using a “house” laboratory supply rather than bottled gas, it is highly recommended that
you install an external drier and a 5-µm filter.
1 Locate the GAS 1 port on the back of the Discovery TGA. The GAS 1 port is used to purge both the
sample and balance areas. As such, an inert gas such as nitrogen should be used in this port.
2 Locate the GAS 2 port. The GAS 2 port is also used to purge the sample area and is used when a purge
gas other than GAS 1 is desired or when gas switching during an experiment is needed.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 34

3 Connect the primary gas line to the GAS 1 port. If desired, connect a secondary gas to the GAS 2 port.
Refer to Figure 14 for reference.

WARNING: If connecting oxygen, it should ONLY be connected to the GAS 2 port.

AVERTISSEMENT: Tout raccordement de l'oxygène doit s'effectuer UNIQUEMENT sur l'orifice à

gaz 2.

NOTE: The flow rate is controlled through settings chosen using the instrument control software.
4 Connect the 1/8-inch Teflon TFE tubing from the instrument to the purge gas inlet, as shown below.

Figure 14 Gas connections on rear of Discovery TGA.

5 Make sure that the pressure of your purge gas source is regulated between 70 and 140 kPa gauge
(10 and 20 psig, respectively).
CAUTION: The GAS 1 and GAS 2 lines feeds into a pressure relief valves that are set to 140 kPa
gauge (20 psig). The source pressure setting should not go above this value.

MISE EN GARDE: Les conduites de gaz 1 et 2 alimentent une soupape de détente de pression réglée
à 140 kPa (pression manométrique) (20 psig). Le réglage de la pression à la source ne doit pas
dépasser cette valeur.

6 Specify the connected gas on the Discovery TGA > General page of the TRIOS Options.
7 Set the sample flow rate to the recommended value for your experiments (depending on furnace type)
through the Control Panel options within TRIOS instrument control software. Refer to Table 3 on page 25
for a list of recommended purge rates for the different furnaces.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 35

Connecting the Air Cool Line
Use the following steps to install the Cooling Gas line:
1 Locate the COOLING GAS fitting on the back panel of the Discovery TGA, marked with a 140 kPa
gauge (20 psig) warning label.
2 Make sure your compressed air is regulated between 138 to 172 kPa gauge (20 psig) and is free of water
and vapors.
CAUTION: The COOLING GAS line feeds into a pressure relief valve that is set to 140 kPa gauge
(20 psig). The source pressure setting should not go above this value.
MISE EN GARDE: La conduite de refroidissement de l'air alimente une soupape de détente de pres-
sion réglée à 140 kPa (pression manométrique) (20 psig). Le réglage de la pression à la source ne doit
pas dépasser cette valeur.

3 Connect the 1/4-inch O.D. tubing from the compressed air source to the COOLING GAS fitting.
NOTE: The cooling gas flows up through the furnace cavity. If you are analyzing oxygen-sensitive
materials, it is recommended that you use nitrogen as your cooling gas.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 36

Connecting the Heat Exchanger Cable and Water Hoses
Follow these instructions to connect the heat exchanger cable and water hoses:
1 Locate the 24 VDC output connector on the rear of the TGA instrument and connect the heat exchanger
cable to the connector. The heat exchanger cable is the only cable that fits into this connector.
2 Remove the water hoses from the packaging.
3 Obtain the water hose marked SUPPLY. Connect one end of this hose to the connector labeled SUPPLY
on the side of the instrument.

Figure 15 SUPPLY and RETURN connectors on the side of the instrument.

4 Connect the other end of the water hose marked SUPPLY to the connector labeled SUPPLY on the heat
exchanger.
5 Connect one end of the unmarked water hose to the connector labeled RETURN on the side of the
instrument.
6 Connect the other end of the unmarked water hose to the connector labeled RETURN on the heat
exchanger.
NOTE: Air trapped in the heat exchanger system must be purged before starting the first run. See “Purging
Air from the Heat Exchanger System” on page 53 after completing installation of the Discovery TGA.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 37

Connecting the Power Cable
NOTE: A <HAR>-marked (harmonized) power cable with an IEC 60320 C19 style connector meeting the
standards of the country of installation is required for the European Economic Area.
Install the power cable as follows:
1 Make sure the power switch is in the Off (0) position, as shown in Figure 16.
2 Plug the power cable into the power entry module (shown below).

Power cable

Power switch

Figure 16 Power cable in power entry module on back panel of the instrument.

3 Plug the power cable into the wall outlet.

Installing the Autosampler Tray

Follow the steps below to install the Autosampler tray:
1 Install the Autosampler sample tray (found in the accessory kit). Use the guide pin to orient the tray
correctly.
2 Select Autosampler Reset from the user interface or from the instrument control software.
3 If necessary, calibrate the Autosampler as described in “Autosampler and Autoloader Calibration” on
page 58.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 38

Installing the Hang-Down Wires
The procedures below describe how to install the tare and sample hang-down wires. The following proce-
dures assume that the instructions found in “Preparing the Discovery TGA for Installation” on page 29
have been completed.
CAUTION: During installation, take care not to bend the hang-down wires or damage the hang-
down loops.

MISE EN GARDE: Pendant l'installation, prenez soin de ne plier les fils suspendus et de ne pas
endommager les boucles suspendues.

Installing the Tare Hang-Down Wire

Install the tare hang-down wire as follows:
1 Verify that the instructions found in “Preparing the Discovery TGA for Installation” on page 29 have
been completed. Both the balance housing cover and balance cover should already be removed at this
point in the installation.
2 Loosen the three screws (circled below) on the tare cap, which is located on the underside of the balance
chamber. Remove the cap and put it aside to reinstall later.

Figure 17 Removing the tare cap.

3 Locate the tare hang-down wire and tare hang-down installation tool in your TGA Accessory Kit. The
tare hang-down wire is the shorter of the two wires. For now, leave the tare hang-down wire in its case.
4 Position the hang-down wire case so that the wire’s double bend hook is at the top.
5 With the tare hang-down wire still in its case, insert the bottom of the wire into the tare hang-down
installation tool, as shown below. Then remove the installation tool and wire from the case.

Double bend hook

Installation tool

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 39

Figure 18 Inserting tare hang-down wire into installation tool.

6 Insert the wire and installation tool vertically into the tare tube, being careful not to bend the wire.

Tare tube

Tare hang-down wire with

double bend hook at top

Tare installation tool

Figure 19 Inserting hang-down wire into tare tube.

7 Continue to raise it slowly until the top of the wire protrudes from the opening in the purge control cap.
Be sure to hold the installation tool in place, as it will fall out of the tare tube opening if released.

Double bend hook on tare hang-down wire

Figure 20

8 Using tweezers, gently hang the double-bend hook (pointing to the left) on the hang-down loop. Maneuver
the hook until it is fully inserted through the loop. Be very careful to avoid bending the hang-down loop.
9 Remove the tare hang-down installation tool.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 40

10 Use the alignment gauge (shown below) to ensure that the length of the tare tube extends 0.381-cm
(0.150-inch) below the cooling plate. Push it up or pull it down to adjust the length.
Place against bottom surface of copper cooling plate

Aligns with bottom of tare tube (TGA 550 and 5500)

Aligns with bottom of baffles (TGA 5500) / tube ceramic

(TGA 55 and TGA 550)

Aligns with bottom hang-down hook (TGA 5500)

Aligns with bottom of sample pan (TGA 5500)

Aligns with bottom of sample pan (TGA 55 and 550)

Aligns with bottom of hang-down hook (TGA 55 and TGA 550)

Figure 21 Alignment gauge. The long edge (shown here as the left edge) is used for TGA 55 and TGA
550, and the short edge (shown here as the right edge) is used for the TGA 5500.

11 Hang the desired sample pan on the hook. Choose the same type of pan that will be used for your
experiments.
12 Replace the black tare cap over the tare side pan. Tighten the three screws holding the tare cap on.

Installing the Upper Reflective Assembly and Sample Hang-Down Wire on the
TGA 5500
Before you can install the sample hang-down wire, you must install the sample tube (upper reflective
assembly) that surrounds the wire. Follow these steps:
1 Locate the upper reflective assembly in the accessory kit.
2 Lower the furnace to its fully open position.
3 Cover the furnace opening with a flat object (such as a business card) to prevent anything from falling
inside.
4 Holding the assembly by the tube section, install the upper reflective assembly by inserting it straight

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 41

 up inside the sample side hole in the cooling plate, being sure not to bend the baffles.

Be careful not to bend these

baffles

Figure 22 Installing the upper reflective assembly.

5 With the upper reflective assembly in place, carefully install the DTA thermocouple.

Sample hang-down wire

Thermocouple

Figure 23 Thermocouple installed.

6 Proceed to install the sample hang-down wire as instructed in the following steps. Please note that you
will not need to adjust the length of the upper reflective assembly tube until the sample hang-down wire
has been fully installed.
CAUTION: During installation, take care not to bend the hang-down wires or damage the hang-
down loops.

MISE EN GARDE: Pendant l'installation, prenez soin de ne plier les fils suspendus et de ne pas
endommager les boucles suspendues.

7 Placing a finger under the upper reflective assembly, push the tube up slowly until it stops moving; be
careful not to bend the baffles.
8 Locate the sample hang-down wire and the sample hang-down installation tool (shown below), which

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 42

 are found in the accessory kit. For now, leave the sample hang-down wire in its case.

Figure 24 Sample hang-down wire installation tool.

9 Position the hang-down wire case so that the wire’s double bend hook is at the top.
10 With the sample hang-down wire still in its case, insert the bottom of the wire into the sample hang-
down installation tool, as shown below. Then remove the installation tool and wire from the case.

Double bend hook

Installation tool

Figure 25 Inserting sample hang-down wire into installation tool.

11 Remove the flat object covering the furnace opening and lower the furnace to its fully open position.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 43

12 Carefully angling the sample hang-down installation tool, lower the bottom into the furnace opening
until you have enough clearance to hold the tool and wire vertically without bending the wire (very
important).

Sample hang-down wire

Thermocouple

Figure 26 Sample hang-down wire.

13 Insert the wire and sample hang-down installation tool vertically into the sample tube, being careful not
to bend the wire. Continue to raise it slowly, feeding it through the purge control cap until the top of the
wire protrudes from the opening in the cap.
14 Cover the furnace opening with a flat object that will completely block the opening.
15 Position the sample hang-down wire so that the double-bend hook is pointed to the left. Grasp the hang-
down wire with brass tweezers, being careful not to bend the wire.
16 Using tweezers, gently hang the double-bend hook (pointing to the left) on the hang-down loop. Maneuver
the hook until it is fully inserted through the loop.

Double-bend hook on hang-down loop

Figure 27 Hanging the sample hang-down wire.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 44

17 Slide the installation tool down to remove it from the upper reflective assembly. The hang-down wire,
if properly installed through the loop, will remain in position. Be careful not to bend the hang-down wire.
18 Adjust the length of the upper reflective assembly by pulling it down. The length from the bottom of the
baffle to the cooling plate should be 1.6 in (4.1 cm), which can be determined using the supplied gauge.
See the figure below.

4.1 cm (1.6 in)

Hang-down hook resting on gauge

Figure 28 Proper positioning of alignment gauge and upper reflective assembly.

19 Hang the desired sample pan from the hook. Choose the same type of pan that will be used for your
experiments.

Installing the Sample Hang-Down Wire on the TGA 55 and TGA 550
CAUTION: During installation, take care not to bend the hang-down wires or damage the hang-
down loops.

MISE EN GARDE: Pendant l'installation, prenez soin de ne plier les fils suspendus et de ne pas
endommager les boucles suspendues.
1 Verify that the instructions found in “Preparing the Discovery TGA for Installation” on page 29 have
been completed. Both the balance housing cover and the balance cover should already be removed at
this point in the installation.
2 Press the FURNACE button to lower the furnace.
3 Locate the sample hang-down wire in your TGA Accessory Kit.
4 Hold the wire in your hand so that the doubly bent top hook is pointing to the left and the bottom hook
is pointing to the right.
5 Carefully insert the bottom of the hang-down wire into the top of the furnace far enough so that you can
insert the top of the wire into the thermocouple tube without bending the wire.
6 Thread the hang-down wire up through the thermocouple tube into the balance chamber, and hook the
top of the wire over the top of the tube.
7 Grasp the top hook of the hang-down wire with brass tweezers. Being careful to keep the top hook
pointing to the left, pass the double bend through the hang-down loop so the wire is hanging from the loop.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 45

Leveling the Discovery TGA and Aligning the Balance
To avoid weight signal noise, the TGA instrument must be level so that the sample pan and hang-down
wire hang inside the furnace without touching the sides. The angle at which the pan hangs is very sensitive
to slight irregularities in benchtop surfaces, so it is required that the instrument is installed on a marble
bench.
Once you have your TGA in a satisfactory location, you will need to adjust the top and bottom of the
sample hang-down wire and level the instrument using the following procedures. These procedures are
performed with pans loaded on the hang-down wires.

Leveling the Instrument

Place a level across the rails of the instrument as shown below

Figure 29 Leveling the instrument.

Aligning the Sample Hang-Down Wire

1 Load a pan on the sample hang-down wire.
2 Adjust the position of the hang-down wire and pan until the bottom of the pan is 2.2 in. (5.6 cm) from
the cooling plate as follows:
a Turn the center balance assembly hex head screw until it touches the floor of the chamber; this is
done to prevent the balance assembly from dropping in step b.
b Adjust the balance up or down by turning the height adjustment screw. After the height is adjusted,
retighten the two locking screws.
Up/Down
Adjustment screw

Up/Down
Locking screws

Figure 30 Adjust the balance.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 46

NOTE: The position of the hangdown and tare wires was set at the factory. If the instrument is level, no
adjustment is necessary. If you need to adjust the balance towards the front or back side, loosen the four
horizontal set screws, realign, and then retighten the set screws.

Figure 31 Balance alignment locking screws (3 shown).

c Turn the center balance assembly hex head screw until the pan height is at the correct distance. Make
your adjustments using the alignment gauge as a guide.
Place against bottom surface of copper cooling plate

Aligns with bottom of tare tube (TGA 550 and 5500)

Aligns with bottom of baffles (TGA 5500) / tube ceramic

(TGA 55 and TGA 550)

Aligns with bottom hang-down hook (TGA 5500)

Aligns with bottom of sample pan (TGA 5500)

Aligns with bottom of sample pan (TGA 55 and 550)

Aligns with bottom of hang-down hook (TGA 55 and TGA 550)

Figure 32 Alignment gauge. The long edge (shown here as the left edge) is used for TGA 55 and TGA
550, and the short edge (shown here as the right edge) is used for the TGA 5500.

d Tighten the up/down screws to lock them in position.

e Turn the center balance assembly hex head screw all the way up until it is tight against the balance
assembly.
3 Adjust the side-to-side position of the sample hang-down wire as follows:
a Loosen the two outer left/right balance adjustment locking screws shown in Figure 31.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 47

 b Manually position the balance assembly left or right until the hang-down wire is centered in the
purge cap at the top and in the sample tube at the bottom.
c Tighten the screws to lock them in position.

Aligning the Bottom of the Sample Hang-Down Wire

The purpose of this procedure is to center the sample pan within the furnace so that its movement is not
hindered as the furnace is opened and closed.
1 Use the user interface Furnace Open/Close button to slowly raise the furnace just to the bottom of the
sample pan, and touch STOP.
2 Check the alignment of the sample pan within the furnace. It should hang freely, centered, and should
not be touching the sides of the furnace (shown in the figure here).
Furnace

Sample pan

Figure 33

3 If the sample pan is not centered and hanging freely within the furnace, level the instrument by adjusting
the two front feet on the bottom. Turn the feet clockwise to lengthen or counterclockwise to shorten the
legs, making sure the front feet and the rear stabilizer bar contact the table securely. Continue adjusting
until the pan hangs correctly.
4 Use a 7/16-inch wrench to tighten the locking nuts up against the bottom of the cabinet when the
instrument is level to fix the position of the mounting feet in place. See the figure below.

Locking nut

Mounting foot

Figure 34 Locking nut position shown.

5 Raise the furnace slowly again to ensure the sample tube baffles clear the furnace. If the baffles come
in contact with the furnace, call TA Instruments for service.
6 Lower the furnace, then manually remove the pan and place it back on the Autosampler tray.
At this point, the lower furnace assembly is ready to be installed. Proceed to the next section.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 48

Installing the Lower Furnace Assembly on the TGA 5500
After the hang-down wires have been properly aligned, follow these steps to install the lower furnace
assembly.
1 Close the furnace completely.
2 Turn off the instrument.
3 Locate the lower furnace assembly in the accessory kit.
4 Carefully remove the lower furnace assembly from the plastic shipping tube.
5 Orient the lower furnace assembly (shown below) so that the air cool inlet points to the left as you slide
it up into the bottom of the furnace.

Figure 35 Lower furnace assembly parts identification.

6 Raise the lower furnace assembly until it goes all the way inside and until only the thumbscrew shows
on the outside. The O-ring will hold the furnace assembly in place.
7 Turn the thumbscrew to hold the assembly in place.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 49

8 Loosen the outer nut and remove the furnace exhaust tube from the left-hand side of the furnace.

Exhaust tube removed from outlet port

Figure 36 Outlet port.

9 Look into the furnace outlet port (Figure 37 A). The holes in the heat-absorbing tube (Figure 37 B)
should align with the inlet and outlet ports on the furnace housing, allowing for light to pass through
(Figure 38). Rotate the lower furnace assembly until achieving the proper alignment.
Outlet port

Heat-absorbing tube

Inlet port

Lower furnace
assembly

Figure 37 A: Outlet and Inlet ports. Figure 34 B: Heat absorbing tube.

Sphere of light indicates proper alignment.

Figure 38 View through the Outlet port.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 50

10 Fully tighten the thumbscrew once proper alignment is achieved.
11 Re-install the furnace exhaust tube.
12 Turn off the instrument. Insert the lower furnace assembly cable connector into the connector shown
below. Tighten the knurled nut.

Lower furnace assembly cable

Figure 39 Lower furnace accessory cable installed.

13 Connect the 1/8-inch Teflon TFE tubing from the base of the instrument to the LFA air cool inlet, as
shown in the figure below. Note that the figure below also displays the sample purge line, which was
installed in “Connecting Lines to the Gas Delivery Module” on page 34.

Sample purge line

Air cool line

Figure 40 Lower furnace assembly fully installed.

14 Proceed to the next section to complete installation of the Discovery TGA.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 51

Closing the Balance Assembly
After you have finished the procedures on the previous pages, lower the balance cover carefully over the
balance assembly and tighten the two screws as shown in “Unpacking the Balance” on page 30. Then place
the Autosampler cover over the tray.
The installation procedure is now complete. However, since the balance housing has been opened during
this installation, balance conditioning is required.

Balance Conditioning
Balance conditioning is required for the Discovery TGA in order to achieve optimum performance from
your instrument and keep the balance housing dry. Perform a balance conditioning when:
• The instrument is first installed
• Whenever the balance housing is opened
• Whenever the instrument is powered off for an extended period of time.
For more information related to conditioning the balance, see “Conditioning the Balance” on page 64 for
detailed instructions.

Filling the Heat Exchanger Reservoir

The heat exchanger contains a liquid reservoir that supplies the instrument with coolant to dissipate heat
from the furnace. The coolant exits the heat exchanger through the supply line, circulates to the furnace,
and returns to the reservoir via the return line. To fill the heat exchanger, follow the directions given below.
For instructions on how to connect the water lines, see “Connecting the Heat Exchanger Cable and Water
Hoses” on page 37.
1 Disconnect the heat exchanger control harness and water lines from the instrument cabinet.
2 Unscrew and remove the water reservoir cap.

Figure 41 Water reservoir cap.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 52

3 Drain the coolant and flush out the system as follows:
a Lift the heat exchanger and dump out the contents of the water reservoir.
b Fill the reservoir to 2/3 full with distilled water only and replace the cap.
c Reconnect the heat exchanger control cable and water lines to the instrument cabinet.
d Turn on the pump by clicking Heat Exchanger from the General Control panel, and allow the water
to circulate for several minutes.
e Turn off the pump by clicking Stop from the General Control panel, and check the clarity of the
water in the reservoir bottle.
f If the water clarity is still unacceptable, disconnect the heat exchanger cable and water lines from
the instrument cabinet, and repeat steps a through e.
g Continue repeating this procedure until you are satisfied with the clarity of the water in the reservoir
after it has circulated.
4 Dispose of the water. Add TA Instruments TGA Conditioner (P/N 952377.901) into the water reservoir.
Refer to the instructions on the conditioner bottle for the amount of conditioner to add to the reservoir,
then fill the reservoir to the inner rim with distilled water.
CAUTION: Do not put any liquid other than distilled water and TA Instruments’ TGA Conditioner
in the heat exchanger reservoir.

MISE EN GARDE: Ne versez aucun liquide autre que de l'eau distillée et l'agent de condi-
tionnement TGA de TA Instruments dans le réservoir de l'échangeur thermique.

5 Turn on the pump again by clicking Heat Exchanger from the General Control panel, and circulate the
water until the air bubbles disappear from the water lines, then stop the pump by clicking Stop from the
General Control panel.
NOTE: After the system has been started, recheck the level of water in the reservoir and refill to the inner
rim if necessary.
6 Replace and tighten the water reservoir cap.

Purging Air from the Heat Exchanger System

Air trapped in the heat exchanger system must be purged before starting the first run. After the initial
installation of the Discovery TGA is complete, perform the following procedure:
1 Turn on the instrument. See “Starting the Discovery TGA System” on page 55 if necessary.
2 Start the heat exchanger pump by either:
• Clicking the Heat Exchanger icon from the TRIOS software General Control panel, or
• From the user interface, press Settings and then set Heat Exchanger to ON.
3 Refill the coolant reservoir as needed. Repeat this process until all of the air has been purged from the
system and the instrument stops reporting an error.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 53

Installing the Autosampler Tray
When you receive your TGA, the Autosampler tray is shipped in the accessory box, separate from the
instrument. After unpacking the instrument and installing the instrument completely (see instructions in
this chapter), you will be ready to run samples using the Autosampler.
1 Locate the open slot on the Autosampler tray.

Figure 42 Slot on Autosampler tray.

2 Locate the guide pin on the instrument Autosampler.

Center pin

Guide pin

Figure 43 Guide pin on instrument Autosampler.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 54

3 Grasp the tray by the center knob and lower it onto the instrument Autosampler, aligning the open slot
on the tray with the guide pin on the Autosampler.

Guide pin in Autosampler

tray open slot

Figure 44 Autosampler tray installed on instrument.

Starting the Discovery TGA System

The power switch is located at the back panel of the instrument. It is part of the assembly called the power
entry module, which also contains the power cable connection and fuses. The power switch is used to turn
the TGA system on and off.
To power on the system:
1 Check the connection between the TGA, Ethernet switch, and the controller. Make sure each component
is plugged into the correct connection port.
2 Set the power switch to the ON ( I ) position.
3 After the proper power up sequence, the instrument user interface displays; this indicates that the
instrument is ready for use.
NOTE: Allow the Discovery TGA to warm up for 60 minutes before performing an experiment in order to
allow time for the temperature-controlled measurement circuitry to stabilize.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 55

Shutting Down the Discovery TGA
Before you decide to power down your system, consider the following:
• All of the components of your thermal analysis system are designed to be powered on for long periods.
• The electronics of the TGA perform more reliably if power fluctuations caused by turning units on and
off are minimized.
For these reasons, turning the system and its components on and off frequently is discouraged. Therefore,
when you finish running an experiment on your instrument and wish to use the thermal analysis system for
some other task, it is recommended that you leave the instrument on.
To ensure proper shutdown of the instrument, it is recommended that you execute a shutdown from the
user interface or TRIOS software before turning off the power to the instrument. To shut down, perform
one of the following options:
• Select Shutdown from the instrument user interface Utilities menu.
• Select Shutdown from the Instrument menu within the TRIOS software.
A confirmation message displays. Select Yes to continue. All communication to the instrument halts while
the instrument saves any unsaved data. Once this procedure is complete, the instrument user interface
screen goes blank (black), indicating that it is safe to turn off the power to the instrument.
To power down your system, set the power switch to the OFF (0) position.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 56

Chapter 3:
Use, Maintenance, & Diagnostics

Using the Discovery TGA

All of your TGA experiments will have the following general outline. In some cases, not all of these steps
will be performed. The majority of these steps are performed using the instrument control software. The
instructions needed to perform these actions can be found in the Help in the instrument control
program; therefore, they will not all be covered in detail here.
• Calibrating the instrument
• Selecting the pan size and material
• Selecting the purge gas and setting flow rates
• Creating or choosing the test procedure and entering experiment information in TRIOS software
• Selecting and taring the sample pan
• Loading the sample
• Starting the experiment
• Unloading the sample at the end of the experiment
To obtain accurate results, follow procedures carefully and check calibration periodically (once a month).

Before You Begin

Before you set up an experiment, ensure that the Discovery TGA system and the controller have been
installed properly. Make sure you have:
• Connected the instrument with the controller
• Connected all gas lines
• Connected heat exchanger power and water lines
• Installed any desired options
• Powered up the Discovery TGA and heat exchanger
• Become familiar with controller operations
• Calibrated the Discovery TGA, if necessary

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 57

Calibrating the Discovery TGA
To obtain accurate experimental results, you should calibrate the instrument upon initial installation. For
the best results, however, you should recalibrate periodically.
Several types of calibration are required for the TGA: Autosampler or Autoloader, weight, and temperature
calibration. A brief description is provided below. Autosampler/Autoloader calibration is performed via
the instrument user interface. Weight and temperature calibration are performed through TRIOS software.
NOTE: Please make sure that you run your experiments with the same gas that you used to calibrate the
system. For example, if you calibrate using nitrogen, make your runs with nitrogen.
Calibration consists of several different types of procedures that are described briefly below. For more
details on performing each type of calibration, refer to the instructions in TRIOS software Help.

Autosampler and Autoloader Calibration

Perform an Autosampler or Autoloader calibration after initial installation of the system, and calibrate
periodically thereafter as needed.
If the Autosampler fails to pick up a sample pan correctly during an automatic loading procedure, the
Autosampler may need to be calibrated.
If the Autoloader fails to pick up the sample pan correctly, the Autoloader may need to be calibrated.
Other possible causes for improper pan pickup include:
• The instrument is not level. See “Leveling the Discovery TGA and Aligning the Balance” on page 46
for instructions to solve this problem.
• The hang-down wire is not straight. Replace the hang-down wire; see “Installing the Hang-Down
Wires” on page 39 for instructions.
• The bails on the sample pan are bent. If possible, straighten them or use new pans.
To perform Autosampler or Autoloader calibration, access the Autosampler or Autoloader panel on the
user interface. Refer to TRIOS software Help for detailed instructions.

Weight Calibration
Weight calibration is required upon initial installation of the system. After the initial weight calibration,
weight calibration should then be done periodically (once a month is recommended). This calibration can
be performed manually (using an empty pan and calibration weights) or automatically (using the three
weight calibration pans).
• Semi-automatic weight calibration is performed using known calibration weights, typically 100 mg
and 1000 mg. This procedure involves weighing a pan with and without the calibration weights to cal-
ibrate the low and high weight ranges. This procedure is conducted through TRIOS software using the
Calibrate function and clicking on the Weight Calibration and Semi-Auto tabs.
• Automatic weight calibration is accessed through TRIOS software by using the Calibrate function
and clicking on the Weight Calibration and Auto tabs. In this case the pan differential is used to cali-
brate the weight. The weight calibration pans may only be used when a platinum tare pan is installed.
See TRIOS software Help for more information on weight calibration of either type.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 58

Temperature Calibration
Temperature calibration is required for TGA experiments in which precise transition temperatures are
essential. There is one technique for TGA temperature calibration recognized by the American Society for
Testing and Materials. This technique is described in ASTM Standard E1582 and is based on the Curie
Point of magnetic metals; it is recommended for the Discovery TGA.
In this technique, a Curie standard is heated in a sample pan in a magnetic field. The Discovery TGA IR
furnace is equipped with an electromagnet to facilitate this operation. The wire-wound and EGA furnaces
require a bar magnet (provided). As the standard goes through its Curie Point, its attraction to the magnet
changes, appearing as a weight change. The extrapolated endpoint of this weight change is adjusted to
agree with the material's known Curie Point temperature. Up to five calibration points can be entered into
the temperature calibration table. A multi-point calibration is more accurate than a one-point calibration.
If the DTA option is available (standard on the TGA 5500 and optional on the TGA 550) melt standards
may also be used to calibrate temperature. High purity melt standards must be used for calibration. The
DTA signal setup must be complete before using this option. The extrapolated onset of the melt endotherm
in the DTA signal is used as the measured value and the system is adjusted based on the known value of
that specific melt standard.
See TRIOS software Help for more information

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 59

Running a Discovery TGA Experiment
All of your TGA experiments will have the following general outline. In some cases, not all of these steps
will be performed. See TRIOS software Help for anything not covered in this manual.
1 Attaching and setting up external accessories and/or environmental conditions as required, such as the
purge gas
2 Selecting the pan size and material
3 Taring the empty sample pan
4 Loading the sample into the pan
5 Entering experiment information in TRIOS software; this includes both sample and instrument
information.
6 Creating or selecting the experimental procedure using TRIOS software
7 Starting the experiment

Selecting the Pan Size and Material

Choose a pan based on the desired temperature range and application. See “Discovery TGA Sampling
System” on page 26 for the pans that can be used with the Discovery TGA Autosampler.

Taring the Sample Pan(s)

Taring of all sample pans on the tray must be done before the sample is loaded to ensure that the balance
gives you an accurate reading.
NOTE: A sample pan of the same size and type that will be used for your experiments is required on the
tare side for proper operation.
1 Place clean, empty pan(s) on the platform. If you are using sealed aluminum pans, then you must tare
the lid along with the empty pan. See TRIOS software Help for more information.
2 Specify the pan type in TRIOS software. Only pans of the same type may be run in the same sequence.
3 Select the Tare button on the user interface. Alternatively, select Tare from the Instrument tab within
TRIOS software.
4 Select the desired pans, then select Start from the user interface or from TRIOS to initiate the tare
procedure. The pan will automatically be loaded and the furnace raised to make the measurement. When
the tare procedure is complete, the furnace automatically lowers and unloads the pan.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 60

Loading the Sample Pans
Loading Open Pans
After taring the sample pan, load the sample as follows:
NOTE: This procedure does not apply to sealed aluminum pans. If you are using sealed pan, a different
procedure applies. See below.
1 Place the sample in the sample pan and position the pan on the sample tray in its original position; this
may be done with the tray on or off the instrument. The wire on the bottom of the sample pan, if present,
should align with the groove in the pan recess so that the sample pan can be picked up by the sample
hang-down wire.
NOTE: Always use brass tweezers to handle the sample pans.
2 Replace the sample tray on the Autosampler, if removed.
You can preweigh the samples prior to the start of the experiment, if desired, in order to obtain a record of
the weight. A preweight is valuable for highly volatile materials. This function is performed before you
start an experiment and the weight is stored within the data file record. See TRIOS software Help for infor-
mation on this function.

Loading Sealed Pans

Consult TRIOS software Help for information on punch calibration and alignment for sealed
aluminum pans. After taring the sample pan and lids, load the sample as follows:
1 Make sure the punch mechanism is correctly positioned and calibrated. This is important for consistently
successful punching of sealed pans. See the figure below.

Proper position of punching mechanism

Figure 45 Autosampler tray and punching mechanism position.

2 Follow the procedure to load the sample and seal the sample pans using the sample encapsulating press.
See TRIOS software Help for detailed information.
NOTE: Always use brass tweezers to handle the sample pans.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 61

3 Reposition the bail/pan on the sample tray in its original pan position; this may be done with the tray on
or off the instrument. The tab on the bail should align with the groove in the tray so that the sample pan
can be picked up by the sample hang-down wire. Check that the bail wire is perpendicular (90°) to the
bail base. This avoids failing to connect with the hang-down wire hook or interference with the punch
during the pan punching process.
4 Replace the sample tray on the Autosampler, if removed.

Starting an Experiment
Before you start the experiment, ensure that the Discovery TGA is connected with the controller and you
have entered all necessary information through the instrument control software.
Start the experiment by selecting Start on the instrument control software or touching the START button
on the instrument user interface. When you start the instrument, the system automatically loads the sample
pan and closes the furnace if necessary, and then runs the experiment to completion.
If multiple runs are in the sequence, the procedure repeats for the next run until the run sequence com-
pletes.

Stopping an Experiment
If you need to discontinue the experiment, you can stop it at any point by selecting Stop through the
instrument control software or by touching the STOP button on instrument user interface.
NOTE: See “Shutting Down the Discovery TGA” on page 56 for information on shutting down the
instrument.

Removing or Reinstalling a Wire-wound or EGA Furnace

To remove or reinstall the furnace, you will have to remove the furnace arm from its connection inside the
slot on the front of the instrument cabinet.

Furnace Removal
To remove the Wire-wound or EGA furnace use the following procedure.
1 Press the FURNACE button on the user interface to open the furnace completely.
2 Locate the two mounting screws on each side of the furnace arm connection, found in the slot on the
front of the instrument. Using the ball driver supplied in your TGA Accessory Kit, loosen these four
screws no more than one full turn. To reach the upper left mounting screw, insert the ball driver between
the water and air connections on the left side of the furnace housing.
3 Unplug and remove the furnace arm/base from the instrument cabinet.
4 Unplug the AIR COOL line from the bottom of the furnace arm/base and the purge line from the side
of the furnace.
NOTE: When you remove the AIR COOL line, do not let it slip back into the instrument cabinet.
Place a drip pan to the left of the instrument to catch the coolant that will leak from the hose connections
when the furnace is removed.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 62

Lay the furnace assembly down on the left side of the instrument so that the hose connections are posi-
tioned over the drip pan. Then carefully snip the wire ties and disconnect the cooling water lines from the
housing. (A small amount of cooling water will drain out into the pan when the hoses are disconnected.)
The furnace is now completely free from the instrument.

Furnace Installation
To replace or reinstall the Wire-wound or EGA furnace use the following procedure. Refer to the figures
on previous pages, if needed.
1 Plug the AIR COOL line into the bottom of the furnace arm/base.
2 Slip the water cooling hoses over the furnace water connections and secure them with the wire ties.
3 Tighten the mounting screws fully, then loosen each of them no more than one full turn, so that the flat
sides of the cleats are aligned vertically.
CAUTION: Loosening the upper two mounting screws any more than one full turn may cause the
screws to interfere with the inside of the instrument cabinet, causing damage to the instrument.

MISE EN GARDE: Desserrer les deux vis supérieures de fixation plus d'un tour complet peut
entraîner les vis d'interférer avec l'intérieur de l'armoire de l'appareil , causant des dommages à
l'instrument .

4 Plug the furnace arm into the connector on the carriage and tighten the four mounting screws using the
ball driver. To reach the upper left mounting screw, insert the ball driver between the water and air
connections on the left side of the furnace housing.
5 Connect the purge hose to the gas purge inlet on the right side of furnace.
CAUTION: Hold onto the glass purge tube with one hand while you install the purge hose to avoid
breaking the glass on the EGA furnace.

MISE EN GARDE: Tenez le tube de purge de verre avec une main pendant que vous installez le
tuyau de purge pour éviter de casser le verre sur le four EGA.

6 Check the Heat Exchanger reservoir water level and add water if needed. See ““Filling the Heat Exchanger
Reservoir” on page 52 for instructions. If needed, realign the sample hang-down wire as directed on
page 46.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 63

Maintaining the Instrument
The primary maintenance procedures described in this section are the customer’s responsibility. Any fur-
ther maintenance should be performed by a representative of TA Instruments or other qualified service per-
sonnel. Consult TRIOS software Help for further information.

DANGER: Because of the high power circuitry in this instrument, untrained personnel must not
attempt to test or repair any electrical circuits.

DANGER: À cause de la présence de circuits électriques de grande puissance dans cet instru-
ment, le personnel non formé ne doit pas essayer de tester ou de réparer les circuits élec-
triques.

CAUTION: Before using any cleaning or decontamination method except those recommended by
TA Instruments, check with TA Instruments that the proposed method will not damage the instru-
ment.

MISE EN GARDE: Avant d'utiliser une méthode de nettoyage ou de décontamination autre que
celle recommandée par TA Instruments, vérifiez auprès de TA Instruments que la méthode proposée
n'endommagera pas l'instrument.

Conditioning the Balance

Balance conditioning is required for the Discovery TGA in order to achieve optimum performance from
your instrument and keep the balance housing dry. Perform a balance conditioning when the instrument is
first installed and whenever the balance housing is opened.
In order to ensure an inert atmosphere, the balance housing will need to be flushed of air. This could take
up to 12 hours.
To maintain a dry balance after conditioning, use a balance purge rate of 10 mL/min for an IR and EGA
furnace or 40 mL/min for a wire-wound furnace.

Cleaning the Furnace

After extended use, the inside of the furnace may become coated with sample and therefore require clean-
ing. Periodic cleaning is recommended for optimum operation and performance.
See TRIOS software Help for furnace cleaning instructions.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 64

Cleaning the Pans
The TGA platinum and ceramic sample pans are designed to be reusable. However, they must be thor-
oughly cleaned between experiments. This is typically accomplished by “burn-off” of residue with a pro-
pane torch. In some cases, soaking the pans in an appropriate solvent provides another alternative. Care
must be taken not to deform the pan and bail wire during cleaning, or the TGA automatic pan pick-up
process will not work.
CAUTION: The aluminum pans can not be cleaned with a propane torch. The aluminum pans are
disposable; they are not meant to be reused.

MISE EN GARDE: Les bacs en aluminium peuvent être nettoyés à l'aide d'un chalumeau au pro-
pane. Les bacs en aluminium sont jetables et ne sont pas conçus pour être réutilisés.

CAUTION: Do not use an acid wash to clean the platinum-HT pans, as this may damage the pans.

MISE EN GARDE: N'utilisez pas de lavage à l'eau acidulée pour nettoyer les bacs en platine-HT,
car cela risque d'endommager les bacs.

Cleaning the User Interface Screen

You can clean the TGA user interface screen as often as you like. The instrument should first be turned off
in order to prevent activating the touch screen switches, which can result in unexpected instrument
behavior. The user interface screen should be cleaned with a household liquid glass cleaner and soft cloth.
Wet the cloth (not the user interface screen) with the glass cleaner, and then wipe off the screen and
surrounding surfaces.

WARNING: Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers, steel wool, or any rough materials
to clean the user interface screen, as you may scratch the surface and degrade its properties.

AVERTISSEMENT: N'utilisez pas de produits chimiques agressifs, de nettoyants abrasifs, de la

laine d'acier ou tout autre matériau rugueux pour nettoyer l'écran de l'interface utilisateur, car
vous pourriez égratigner sa surface et dégrader ses propriétés.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 65

Replacing Fuses

WARNING: Always unplug the instrument before you examine or replace the fuses.

AVERTISSEMENT: Débranchez toujours l'instrument avant d'examiner ou de remplacer les fus-

ibles.

The Discovery TGA™ contains internal fuses that are not user serviceable. If any of the internal fuses
blows, a hazard may exist. Call your TA Instruments service representative.
The only customer-replaceable fuses are located in the fuse holder located on the back panel of the
instrument. To check or change these fuses:
1 Turn the instrument off and remove the power cord.
2 Next to the instrument power entry module, there are two standard fuse holders. Use a flat-blade
screwdriver to remove the fuse carriers.
3 Remove old fuses and replace the fuses only with the type and rating indicated on the instrument’s rear
panel.
4 Place the fuse carriers back into the fuse holders and lock in place with the screwdriver.

Maintaining the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger does not require any maintenance other than to maintain the level and quality of the
liquid coolant. If the level drops too low, or the coolant becomes contaminated, this could result in
problems with your instrument.
CAUTION: Do not put any liquid other than distilled water and TA Conditioner in the heat
exchanger reservoir.

MISE EN GARDE: Ne versez aucun liquide autre que de l'eau distillée et l'agent de conditionne-
ment TGA de TA Instruments dans le réservoir de l'échangeur thermique.

• Check the level and condition of the heat exchanger coolant periodically. TA Instruments recommends
routine checks every three to six months, depending on use of the instrument.
• Add distilled water to the reservoir, when necessary, to keep the reservoir at least 2/3 full. If algae
growth is visible, drain the reservoir, refill it with distilled water, and add TA Instruments TGA Condi-
tioner (PN 952377.901), as described in the Maintaining the Heat Exchanger TRIOS Help topic.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 66

Replacement Parts
Replacement parts for the Discovery TGA are listed below. Refer to the tables below when ordering parts.

Table 7: Fuses, Cords, and Cables*

Part Number Description

200721.002 Power cord, 240 V

201242.001 Fuse 12-amp time delay, 250 V (T12 A H 250 V)

251470.010 Ethernet cable (10 foot, shielded)

920223.901 Event cable

*Contact your local TA Instruments representative for information on non-US style power cords.

Table 8: Discovery TGA Tools and Parts

Part Number Description

259508.000 Brass tweezers

259509.000 Spatula, curved, 165 mm long

271621.001 O-ring, furnace housing to balance chamber

269920.006 Balldriver 9/64 hex tool

269920.004 Balldriver, 5/64-inch

269920.026 Balldriver, 7/64-inch

269920.005 Balldriver, 3/32-inch

952162.901 Heat exchanger tubing

952377.901 Heat exchanger conditioner kit

953260.901 TGA heat exchanger assembly

957515.901 Hang-down loop

956327.901 Sample hang-down wire

956328.901 Tare hang-down wire

954399.901 Lower furnace assembly

954298.901 Thermocouple replacement kit for the Lower Furnace Assembly (TGA 5500 only)

957291.901 Upper reflective assembly

200391.001 Wrench, double angle, 1/4-inch

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 67

Table 8: Discovery TGA Tools and Parts (Continued)

Part Number Description

200392.001 Mirror, adjustable, 7/8-inch diameter

957357.001 Gauge, position, furnace/hook/pan

957357.002 IR Furnace Bulb Replacement Kit (4 bulbs) for TGA 5500

Table 9: Standard Series Pans and Lids

Part Number Description

957099.901 25-pan tray, Autosampler (standard with TGA 5500)

957207.903 50-µL platinum sample pans (package of 3)

957207.904 100-µL platinum sample pans (package of 3)

957387.902 100-µL platinum-HT sample pans (package of 3)

957329.903 100-µL ceramic sample pans (package of 3)

957329.904 250-µL ceramic sample pans (package of 3)

957363.901 80-µL aluminum sample pans (package of 100)1, 2, 3

957362.901 Aluminum sample lids (package of 100)
957364.901 Stainless steel bails (package of 15)

957352.901 Sealed aluminum pan kit, which contains:

• 957362.901 Aluminum sample lids (package of 100)
• 957363.901 80-µL aluminum sample pans (package of 100)1,2,3
• 957364.901 Stainless steel bails (package of 15)
• 957358.001 Sealed pan punch alignment tool
• 957201.001 Sealed pan crimping tool

1 Requires 25-pan tray, P/N 957099.901.

2 Requires several additional parts found in Sealed Aluminum Pan Kit, P/N 957352.901. Not available for TGA 55.

3
Requires TA Instruments blue sample press, P/N 900878.902, or Tzero sample press, P/N 901900.901, with purple
die set, P/N 957450.901.

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 68

Table 10: Calibration/Reference Materials

Part Number Description

957349.901 Mass Spectrometer Interface Kit for the IR furnace (TGA 5500 only)

271001.002 Mass Spectrometer Interface Kit for the EGA furnace (TGA 55 and TGA 550)

200413.002 Calibration weight 100 mg - Class 1

200413.001 Calibration weight 50 mg - Class 1

900905.901 Calcium oxalate monohydrate sample

952385.901 TGA nickel reference material

952398.901 TGA ALUMEL® reference material

956210.901 Thermocouple Sample 550/55. NOTE: Part is also the DTA thermocouple for the 5500.

957341.901 Autocal weight kit

952541.902 TGA/SDT ICTAC Curie Point Reference Materials Kit

Discovery TGA™ Getting Started Guide Page 69