Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) is a related technique to Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry (PYMS) where separation is accomplished by temperature as opposed to using a chromatographic column. EGA is a complementary technique to Thermal Gravimetric Analysis. Using identical instrumentation as a PYMS but without a column, the samples are heated from a low temperature to a higher temperature (50-800°C) while monitoring evolved species. EGA is useful for determining the temperature range where polymers burn, and is especially useful with copolymers and crosslinked polymers. If identical conditions are used comparatively to TGA conditions, it can provide a mass spectral chromatogram to assist in determining what is off-gassing from a sample at a specific temperature.
- Aids in identification of polymers when coupled with PYMS
- Provides mass spectral data to identify off-gassing from samples that may be seen in weight loss steps in TGA
- Able to determine where the polymers in a copolymer or a crosslinked polymer will burn
