How is oxidation tested?

Oxidation can be tested using various techniques, including thermal analysis under an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Methods for Testing Oxidation

Several methods exist to test and analyze oxidation, with the choice depending on the material being tested and the information required. One key method is described below, utilizing thermal analysis.

Thermal Analysis (TGA) for Oxidation Testing

• Principle: Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) involves monitoring the mass change of a material as a function of temperature or time under a controlled atmosphere.

• Process:

  1. The material is heated in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.
  2. Oxidation occurs, leading to the formation of metal oxides.
  3. TGA precisely measures the mass increase due to the incorporation of oxygen.
  4. The data is analyzed to determine the rate and extent of oxidation.

• Application: TGA is particularly useful for investigating the oxidation of metals. According to the provided reference, oxidation tests on metals using TGA are sometimes referred to as corrosion studies.

Summary

Method	Description	Information Obtained
Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)	Measures the change in mass of a material as it's heated in an oxygen-containing environment, indicating oxide formation.	Temperature- or time-dependent mass increase, oxidation rate, extent of oxidation, and corrosion behavior.