I think you need to test your polymer with TGA or STA from room temperature to some high temperature may like 600 0C. It will give you a graph of percent weight versus temperature. From that you can find out initial decomposition temperature and different stages of decomposition going in your samples.

You can do TGA, DMA or TMA and HDT analysis for determining thermal analysis of your polymer sample.

you may do TGA , TMA, STA, analysis

You can do TGA for thermal degradation or thermal stability and DSC for the degree of crystallinity and to measure the enthalpy of transition of the sample. 

Tests which are determined based on what you want to know about your system, as a function of this are the studies to be performed. Tests generally suggested by colleagues:TGA, DMA or TMA, STA, DSC are classically tests thermal to study of thermal properties of the materials. However, you should first of all define what you really need to know the material and only then decide which tests to perform.

Mechanical properties 

Micro-cracks 

Surface roughness

Wetability

If this simple is manufactured from the unidirectional tape before thermal testing you need to determine Young module and Poisson ratio at the room temperature using standard testing machine, extensometer according to ASTM standard. These data will be useful at the DMA testing, which allow to determine the glass transition temperature, thermal dependency of loss factor and characteristics of thermal degradation. Please note, first method for the Young module and Poisson ratio determination is most reliable. 

These DMA testings can be effectively used to determine the environmental degradation of composite preliminary experienced by the moisture or salt fog in environmental chamber.

DSC tests (both statics and dynamics) allow to determine the degree of cure of resin matrix material. To do this you need to perform twice temperature scan of single  specimen in the interesting temperature range.

If this plate  was manufactured as multilayered laminate you can estimate the interlaminar shear module using 3-points short beam test on DMA. It's a very important feature because this module determine the compressive resistance of resin at the different temperatures.

Our experience confirms the need to supplement thermal testings by the standard mechanical testing.

Hy,

To be in the way of your question, Thermal analysis that you can do to this kind of material is DSC (Dynamical scanning calorimetry) witch you can determine glass transition temperature, and if it is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic matrix you can find a crystallinity degree and melting temperature and also crystalisation temperature. However, if it is a thermosetting matrix you can determine the conversion degree and glass transition temperature and degradation temperature. So, to use the dsc for composite materials you need to evaluate the fibers rate.

Regards

Dear all,

Many thanks for your sharing your valuable ideas. I really appreciate your gestures.

Best Regards.

Dear Dr. Swapnil,

Thank you for your answer. I wanted to get an overview of the different thermal tests that can be conducted using such sample. But at this point, I am more interested in degradation - How to simply observe the temperature limit of a CFRP.

Kind Regards.

For studying degradation of CFRP just go for TGA or STA. TGA is giving thermal degradation with respect to temperature and STA is giving some added information. But TGA is sufficient for you.

Last year I studied thermal resistance of CFRP samples produced by Formosa Plastics Co. (Taiwan). Max operating temperature was 100 C. Samples were studied by DMA, TGA and by compression test in thermal chamber. All samples were exposed by environmental chamber during 72 hours (-10...+60C 6 cycles). Quality of these samples was excellent. At the testings temperature was elevated up to 100C, then dwell section 15 min, and finally test. Only DMA show some changes in elastic module and tan of loss. So, this method is most sensitive.

TGA, HDT, DMTA...

Thank you all, for your helpful suggestions. Much appreciated.

TG and DMTA are good choices. You may also use DSC.

TGA, DSC are the minimum tests

These methods give the maximum value of thermal stability. If you need long-term characteristics recommend using long exposures at a certain temperature with time-based by measuring of physical and mechanical properties of the polymer. You can start with the maximum values of thermal stability gradually reducing them to the level at which the long-term will be obtained acceptable strength parameters.

Usually Initial degradation temperature of TGA curve will be considered for thermal  stability, Tg from DSC will also be useful. Material deformation during variable temperature can be studied using DMA measurement.

Given that the most likely of the composites include thermosetting resins (polyesters, polyepoxides, etc.) errors in the rapid methods may occur. It is necessary to take into account changes simultaneously with the heating processes of oxidation, cross-linking, degradation, etc.

Many thanks to all of you for your extended contribution. I've taken note of these information. I hope the answers have been beneficial to the followers as well.

Best Regards.

All these thermal analyses( DSC, TGA, TMA)  we, used to perform all engineering carbon fiber composites for automobile and aerospace applications.

Contact me for more information

Best

Dr. Vinoy Thomas

hi,

for short term properties, dma is a good option (Talpha, glassy and rubbery modulus)

TGA in anisothermal mode can be used for assessing the degradation temperature (maximal use temperarature)

TGA (or any other test based on weighting) in isothermal mode under air or N2 gives a screening on the rate of degradation at the given Temperature

regards

Dear Dr. Vinod,

Noted with thanks. I'll consider.

Dear Dr. Richaud,

Thank you for the justifications. It helps to clarify.

Regards.

hi

DSC,TGA AND TMA ARE WIDELY USED TO DETERMINE THE THERMAL STABILITY OF THE POLYMERS.