Page 8 - Handbook of Thermal Analysis of Construction Materials

xii Preface

process, and durability aspects of clay products can be examined conve-
niently by DTA, TG, TMA, and dilatometry and these aspects are discussed
in Ch. 12.
There is a great potential for the application of thermal analysis
techniques to study the behavior of organic construction materials such as
adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, asphalts, and roofing materials. Differ-
ent types of polymers constitute these materials. Chapter 13 is an introduc-
tion to the organic construction materials and provides essential information
on aspects such as the sources, structure, classification, general character-
istics, applications, and durability. Next, Chs. 14, 15, and 16, discuss the
application of thermal analysis techniques for studies pertaining to sealants/
adhesives, roofing materials, and paints/coatings, respectively.
Many physical and chemical processes are involved in the degradation
of sealants and adhesives. Thermal analysis techniques have been used to
characterize polymeric adhesives and sealant formulations and also to study
the processes of degradation when they are exposed to natural elements. The
application of techniques such as TG, DSC, DTG, Dynamic Mechanical
Analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis, Thermomechanical Analy-
sis, and Dynamic Load Thermomechanical Analysis for such materials has
been discussed in Ch. 14.
Although bituminous and modified bituminous roofing materials are
well known in the construction industry, several types of synthetic polymers
such as PVC, EPDM, KEE, TPO, and polyurethane are also adopted in
various applications. Many types of thermal techniques have been applied to
investigate glass transition temperatures, vulcanization reactions, oxidation
stability, weight, and dimensional, rheological and phase modifications in
the roofing material systems. These techniques have also provided useful
information on the degradation processes. Chapter 15 provides several
examples of the applicability of thermal analysis techniques for investigating
the traditional as well as new types of roofing materials.
Thermal analysis techniques also find applications in the study of paints
and coatings. Chapter 16 describes the utilization of these techniques for
investigations related to characterization, drying phenomenon, decomposi-
tion and cross linking, thermal stability, mechanism of decomposition,
degree of curing, kinetics of reactions, influence of impurities, differences in
crystallinity during pigment formation, heats of reaction or mixing, effects
of environmental conditions, and waste utilization.
This comprehensive book containing essential information on the
applicability of thermal analysis techniques to evaluate inorganic and