ASTM E2918-23

Standard Test Method for Performance Validation of Thermomechanical Analyzers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method may be used to determine and validate the performance of a particular thermomechanical analyzer apparatus.  
5.2 This test method may be used to determine and validate the performance of a particular method based upon thermomechanical analyzer temperature or length change measurements.  
5.3 This test method may be used to determine the repeatability of a particular apparatus, operator, or laboratory.  
5.4 This test method may be used for specification and regulatory compliance purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides procedures for validating temperature and length change measurements of thermomechanical analyzers (TMA) and analytical methods based upon the measurement of temperature and length change. Performance parameters include temperature repeatability, linearity, and bias; and dimension change repeatability, detection limit, quantitation limit, linearity, and bias.  
1.2 Validation of apparatus performance and analytical methods is a necessary requirement for quality initiatives. Results may also be used for legal purposes.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2023
• ICS: 17.200.20 - Temperature-measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.10 - Fundamental, Statistical and Mechanical Properties

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2918 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Performance Validation of Thermomechanical Analyzers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2918; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* E1970 Practice for Statistical Treatment of Thermoanalytical
Data
1.1 This test method provides procedures for validating
E2113 Test Method for Length Change Calibration of Ther-
temperature and length change measurements of thermome-
momechanical Analyzers
chanical analyzers (TMA) and analytical methods based upon
E2161 Terminology Relating to Performance Validation in
the measurement of temperature and length change. Perfor-
Thermal Analysis and Rheology
mance parameters include temperature repeatability, linearity,
E3142 Test Method for Thermal Lag of Thermal Analysis
and bias; and dimension change repeatability, detection limit,
Apparatus
quantitation limit, linearity, and bias.
1.2 Validation of apparatus performance and analytical
3. Terminology
methods is a necessary requirement for quality initiatives.
Results may also be used for legal purposes.
3.1 Technical terms used in this test method are defined in
Terminologies E473, E1142, and E2161, including terms
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
analyte, bow, Celsius, coeffıcient of linear thermal expansion,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
detection limit, linearity, quantification limit, relative standard
standard.
deviation, repeatability, standard deviation,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
thermodilatometry, thermomechanical analysis, and valida-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tion.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Summary of Test Method
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 Temperature and time are the primary independent
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
parameters and length change is the primary dependent experi-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mental parameters provided by thermomechanical analysis.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2 Temperature, a measured value, is validated by perform-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ing a measurement of the penetration in sharply melting
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
materials at three (or more) different known melting tempera-
2. Referenced Documents
tures.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3 Length change, a measured value, is validated by
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rhe-
performing a measurement of the linear thermal expansion for
ology
three (or more) test materials.
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
4.4 Validation of a thermomechanical test method based
E1363 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermo-
upon length change may be performed using the test specimen
mechanical Analyzers
as the analyte.
4.5 The length change of three (or more) specimens (nomi-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal
nally representing the maximum, midpoint and minimum of
Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.10 on
Fundamental, Statistical and Mechanical Properties.
the range of the test method) are measured in triplicate (or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
more). A fourth blank specimen, containing no analyte, is
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E2918 – 18a. DOI:
measured in triplicate (or more).
10.1520/E2918-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 1—Repeatability is determined by performing a sufficient number
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
of determinations to calculate valid estimates of the standard deviation or
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. relative standard deviation of the measurement.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2918 − 18a E2918 − 23
Standard Test Method for
1
Performance Validation of Thermomechanical Analyzers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2918; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method provides procedures for validating temperature and length change measurements of thermomechanical
analyzers (TMA)(TMA) and analytical methods based upon the measurement of temperature and length change. Performance
parameters include temperature repeatability, linearity, and bias; and dimension change repeatability, detection limit, quantitation
limit, linearity, and bias.
1.2 Validation of apparatus performance and analytical methods is a necessary requirement for quality initiatives. Results may also
be used for legal purposes.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
E1363 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Thermomechanical Analyzers
E1970 Practice for Statistical Treatment of Thermoanalytical Data
E2113 Test Method for Length Change Calibration of Thermomechanical Analyzers
E2161 Terminology Relating to Performance Validation in Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E3142 Test Method for Thermal Lag of Thermal Analysis Apparatus
3. Terminology
3.1 Technical terms used in this test method are defined in Terminologies E473, E1142, and E2161, including terms analyte, bow,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.10 on Fundamental,
Statistical and Mechanical Properties.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018Aug. 1, 2023. Published January 2019August 2023. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E2918
– 18. DOI: 10.1520/E2918-18A.18a. DOI: 10.1520/E2918-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2918 − 23
Celsius, coeffıcient of linear thermal expansion, detection limit, linearity, quantification limit, relative standard deviation,
repeatability, standard deviation, thermodilatometry, thermomechanical analysis, and validation.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Temperature and time are the primary independent parameters and length change is the primary dependent experimental
parameters provided by thermomechanical analysis.
4.2 Temperature, a measured value, is validated by performing a measurement of the penetration in sharply melting materials at
three (or more) different known melting temperatures.
4.3 Length change, a measured value, is validated by performing a measurement of the linear thermal expansion for three (or
more) test materials.
4.4 Validation of a thermomechanical test method based upon length change may be performed using the test specimen as the
analyte.
4.5 The length change of three (or more) specimens (nominally representing the maximum, midpoint and minimum of the range
of the test method) are measured in triplicate (or more). A fourth blank specimen, containing no analyte, is measured in triplicate
(or more).
NOTE 1—Repeatabili
...