Segment List

A segment is a preprogrammed series of instructions used in a method. Several segments can be linked together to create the desired method. The available segment list will vary depending on the instrument and optional accessories installed.

For details on a specific segment see the table below:

Segment

Description

Abort next segment on limit

Available for DSC,TGA, and SDT Only: The Abort next segment on limit segment allows you to skip over or terminate other method segments when specified limit conditions are met. Then the experiment proceeds to the next segment.

If the limit is reached at the beginning of a segment, then that segment is skipped and method execution continues with the next segment.
If the limit is reached during the execution of a segment, then the remaining portion of the segment is skipped.

NOTE: The Abort segment is generally followed by a Ramp, or Isothermal segment.

Example (DSC):

Equilibrate at 200°C
Abort next segment if mW>1
Isothermal for 100 min

Abort next segment on signal

Available for DMA and TMA Only: The Abort next segment on signal segment allows you to skip over or terminate other method segments when specified limit conditions are met. Then the experiment proceeds to the next segment. The signal specified for limit checking can be any signal that is being saved into the datafile.

If the limit is reached at the beginning of a segment, then that segment is skipped and method execution continues with the next segment.
If the limit is reached during the execution of a segment, then the remaining portion of the segment is skipped.

Example (DMA):

Equilibrate at 100°C
Abort next segment if Storage Modulus < 1000 Mpa
Ramp 5°C/min to 200°C
Isothermal for 10 min
Ramp 5°C/min to 100°C

Air Cool

Available for DSC Only: The Air Cool segment controls the internal cooling solenoid valve connected to compressed air (air cool feature). Air cool activates when the furnace is below 600°C.

Example: Air Cool: On

Data storage

The Data storage segment controls data collection during the experiment. If a Data Storage segment is not used, data storage will be automatically initiated by the first Ramp, Isothermal, or Step segment that appears in the method.

Example: Data Storage: On

Equilibrate

The Equilibrate segment heats or cools the furnace to the defined temperature, stabilizes the furnace at that temperature, then continues to the next segment. This segment does not automatically start data collection.

Example: Equilibrate at 200°C

External Event

The Event segment controls the external event relay through the event jack on the back of the instrument. This is used to synchronize control of additional hardware through the method.

Example: External Event: On

Fill Cooler

Available for DMA and DSC Only: This segment is used to control the filling of the Gas Cooling Accessory (GCA) or Liquid Nitrogen Cooling System (LNCS) when it falls below an entered percentage during an experiment.

Example: Fill Cooler if below 50%

Flow Rate

Available for MFC Only: The Flow Rate segment is used to alter the rate of flow of the selected gas when an instrument is equipped with a Mass Flow Controller.

Example: Flow rate 50 mL/min

Force

Available for DMA Only: The Force segment applies a constant static force to the sample, then executes the next segment. This segment is only valid for experiments done in the Controlled Force and Strain Rate modes.

The Force segment in the Strain Rate mode shuts off displacement (strain) control when this segment is executed. Executing a subsequent Set Strain or Ramp Strain segment shuts off force control and resumes displacement (strain) control.

Example: Force 0.5 N

Frequency Sweep

Available for DMA Only: The Frequency Sweep segment is used in multiple frequency experiments to collect data at each frequency in the selected frequency table at a constant temperature. This segment is only valid for DMA Multifrequency mode.

This segment turns on data storage when it begins, and turns it off when it ends.

Gas Selection

Available with the MFC Only: The Gas segment controls the switching of gas, between Gas 1 and Gas 2 for an instrument with a Mass Flow Controller (MFC) installed. This segment is used to synchronize gas switching at a specific time or temperature in an experiment.

Example: Select Gas1

Heater PID

The Heater PID segment is used to change the performance of the instrument furnace during the execution of a thermal method. PID stands for Proportional, Integral, and Derivative, the three modes of traditional temperature control. The Heater PID segment specifies the control coefficients for each mode of temperature control.

For more detailed information, click here more.

Example: P= 35 I= 70 D=2

High Resolution ramp

Available for TGA High Resolution instruments only. The High Resolution ramp segment varies the heating/cooling rate of the furnace in response to changes in the rate of decomposition of the sample to improve weight change resolution.

Example: Ramp 50.00°C/min res 4.0 to 800.00°C

High Resolution sensitivity

Available for TGA High Resolution instruments only. The High Resolution sensitivity segment sets an additional parameter associated with the High Resolution ramp segments, which can be used to adjust the response of the High Resolution temperature control algorithm. This is sometimes necessary due to the wide variation in decomposition mechanisms of typical sample materials. The sensitivity setting is a unitless number ranging from 1.0 (lowest sensitivity) to 8.0 (highest sensitivity). Increasing sensitivity tends to increase experiment time.

Example: High resolution sensitivity 2.0

Increment Force

Available for DMA Only: The Increment Force segment raises or lowers the static force in a step, then executes the next segment. This segment is only valid for experiments done in controlled force mode.

Example:

1. Equilibrate to 50°C

2. Isothermal for 5 min.

3. Increment force 0.05 N

4. Repeat segment 2 for 3 times

Increment Temperature

The Increment Temperature segment raises or lowers the temperature in a controlled step, lets the temperature equilibrate, then begins the next segment.

Example: Increment by 5°C

Initial temperature

The Initial Temperature segment heats or cools the furnace to the defined temperature, stabilizes the furnace at that temperature, then holds the temperature until the experiment is continued by selecting Resume on the Tool Bar or menu, or pressing START on the instrument keypad. The instrument status will display "ready" when the temperature is stabilized. This segment does not automatically start data collection.

Example: Initial Temp 200°C

Isostrain

Available for DMA Only: The Isostrain segment applies an instantaneous strain to the sample and the force required to maintain the strain at a constant value is monitored.

Example:

1. Equilibrate 30°C

2. Isostrain at 1%

3. Ramp 3°C/min to 200°C

Isothermal

The Isothermal segment holds the sample at the current temperature (as programmed by the previous segment) for a defined period of time. This segment automatically turns on data collection, except when preceded by a Data Storage OFF segment.

Example: Isothermal for 10 min

Jump

The Jump segment instantly changes the set point temperature, causing ballistic changes in the sample temperature. This segment then allows the immediate execution of the next segment (which is usually the Isothermal segment). Note that large temperature overshoots may result from the use of this segment. This segment does not automatically start data collection.

Example: Jump to 200°C

Mark end of cycle

The Mark end of cycle segment places a marker in the data for use by the data analysis programs. In general markers provide quick parsing of data to separate experimental segments (i.e., the heat-cool cycle). A cycle mark number of 0 will automatically increment the mark number each time it is used, providing a running cycle count.

Example: Mark end of cycle 0

Modulate temperature

Available for Modulated Instruments Only: This segment allows you to enter the peak modulation temperature amplitude and period (frequency) parameters that will be used with subsequent ramp or isothermal segments.

Example: Modulate + 5.00 °C every 200 seconds

Motor drive

Available for DMA Only: The Motor Drive segment is used to automatically turn the drive motor on and off during an experiment. The motor will automatically start when the experiment is started, unless you select Motor Drive off as the first segment in a method.

Ramp

The Ramp segment heats or cools the sample at a fixed rate until it reaches the specified temperature, producing a linear plot of temperature versus time. This segment automatically turns on data collection, except when preceded by a Data Storage OFF segment.

Example: Ramp 10°C/min to 200°C

Ramp Displacement

Available for DMA Only: This segment ramps the displacement setpoint linearly with time to a final strain value. Only available in the strain rate mode.

Ramp Force

Available for DMA Only: The Ramp Force segment raises or lowers the force at a fixed rate until a final force is reached, while the sample is held at a constant temperature. This segment is only valid for experiments done in the controlled force mode.

Example: Ramp force 0.2 N/min to 1.0 N

Ramp Strain

Available for DMA Only: This segment ramps the strain setpoint linearly with time to a final strain value. Only available in the strain rate mode.

Repeat

The Repeat segment does exactly what the name implies, it repeats a group of one or more segments within a method for the number of times specified.

Example:

Ramp 5°C/min to 200°C
Ramp 5°C/min to 50°C
Repeat segment 1 for 2 times

Repeat Until

The Repeat Until segment repeats of group of one or more segments within a method until the specified final temperature is reached or passed.

Example:

Equilibrate at 50°C
Isothermal for 5 min
Increment 10°C
Repeat segment 2 until 200°C

Sample interval

The Sample interval segment allows you to define or change the rate at which data is to be collected (in seconds/point).

Example: Sampling interval 0.2 sec/pt

Set Strain

Available for DMA Only: Allows you to change the strain setpoint during experiments run in the stress relaxation, isostrain, and strain rate modes.

Step

The Step segment causes the temperature to jump a specified number of degrees at a specified time interval until a final temperature is reached. This segment automatically turns on data collection, except when preceded by a Data Storage OFF segment.

Example: Step 5°C for 2 min to 200°C

Strain Sweep

Available for DMA Only: The Strain Sweep segment is used in multiple amplitude experiments to collect data at each amplitude in the selected amplitude table at a constant temperature. This segment is only valid for the DMA Multistrain mode.

This segment turns on data storage when it begins, and turns it off when it ends.

Zero Heat Flow

Available for DSC: The Zero Heat Flow segment sets the absolute value of the heat flow signal to zero at the end of a five-minute isothermal period. This ensures that the heat flow signal is accurate, which is important for obtaining accurate total heat capacity signals.

Example: Zero heat flow at 50°C.

Segment List

Segment List