Tandem Thermogravimetric Analyser - Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer System Designed for Toxicological Evaluation of Nonmetallic Materials

摘要

An automatic electrobalance has been coupled in series with a mass spectrometer. The balance is part of a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system which also consists of a furnace with temperature programming capability and a strip chart recorder. A heated stainless steel capillary tube leading from close proximity of the sample inside the TGA instrumentation to the ion source of the mass spectrometer functions as the interface of the two system components. The Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer with its inherent high speed scanning capability has been modified to include a variable output integrator. This combination enables the toxicologist to relate conventional thermogravimetric analysis information to the unequivocal identification of potentially toxic thermal decomposition products. Newly developed fire retardant materials for use in interiors of passenger and cargo aircraft are analyzed to provide information on which to evaluate their toxicity potential under conditions of normal use and catastrophic situations such as fire. (Author)