What materials are TA Instruments disposable sample pans made from?

It is easy to assume all sample pans are alike, but small differences in material can change test outcomes.

TA Instruments pans are mostly made from high-purity aluminum, which offers consistent heat transfer and chemical resistance for accurate thermal analysis.

 

Aluminum and Other Material Choices

Material	Key Properties	Test Applications	Relevant Resource
High-purity Aluminum	Good thermal conductivity, lightweight, non-magnetic	DSC, TGA, most routine tests	Aluminum Overview
Platinum	High melting point, inert, durable	High-temp TGA, STA, special research	Platinum Properties
Gold-coated Aluminum	Corrosion resistant, improved sealing	Volatile materials, sensitive samples	Gold Coating Use
PTFE or PEEK	Chemically inert, lower thermal conductivity	Samples needing chemical resistance	PTFE Explained

Most labs, including my own, choose aluminum pans for routine analysis because of their balance of cost and performance. However, for corrosive or very high-temperature samples, platinum or gold-coated options may be used.

 

How do the size and capacity of sample pans affect thermal analysis?

Find out if pan size matters? Yes, it impacts data quality more than you may guess. Choosing the wrong size can skew results.

TA Instruments sample pans come in several sizes and volumes, each designed for a certain sample weight and thermal test type for reliable testing outcomes.

 

Size, Capacity, and Fit

Pan Type	Diameter (mm)	Height (mm)	Typical Capacity (mg)	Recommended Use Case
Standard DSC	6.4	2.2	30-40	Routine polymer, food, pharma
High Volume TGA	8.5	4.5	70-100	High ash, large organic samples
Micro Sample Pan	3.0	1.5	<10	Precious/rare materials, microanalysis
Pressure-Sealed Pan	6.4	2.5	35-40	Volatile samples, organics

Capacity matters for heat flow measurement and prevents overfilling, which could cause pressure buildup or data error. For example, selecting the correct DSC pan size ensures precise melting point or transition measurement. I learned to always match pan size to sample type and testing range before loading the instrument.

 

Are TA Instruments sample pans compatible with all testing equipment?

Not all pans fit every device. Compatibility issues can waste samples and hours on repeat work.

TA Instruments pans are engineered mainly to fit their brand’s analyzers but can also be compatible with some major brands if dimensions match specific holders.

 

Equipment and Pan Compatibility Table

Analyzer Brand	Compatible Pan Types	Special Note	Reference Link
TA Instruments	All standard and hermetic pans	Full compatibility	TA Instruments
PERKINELMER	Selected aluminum pans	Check pan thickness, fit required	PerkinElmer Info
METTLER TOLEDO	Some pressure pans	Different sealing design	Mettler Toledo
NETZSCH	Wide rim pans	Match sample holder size	NETZSCH Details

In my experience, I never assume cross-compatibility. You must check your thermal analyzer manual for pan specs before buying. Even a minor rim size difference can lead to leaks or reading errors. I always confirm ID, rim type, and closing method with the equipment sheet before ordering.

 

What temperature ranges can TA Instruments sample pans withstand?

Testing conditions often push pans to their thermal limits. Exceeding limits ruins tests and pans.

Standard aluminum TA Instruments sample pans generally tolerate up to 600°C. Platinum and special pans can handle much higher, up to 1600°C, covering most laboratory needs.

 

Maximum Temperature for Each Pan Type

Pan Material	Max Continuous Temperature	Typical Application	More Info
Aluminum	600°C	Routine DSC/TGA	Aluminum Melting Data
Gold-coated Aluminum	580°C	Volatile, sensitive organics	Crucibles
Platinum	1600°C	High-temp TGA/STA	Platinum Use
PTFE/PEEK	260°C / 310°C	Chemical resistance tests	PEEK Info

I once overheated a standard aluminum sample pan above its safe operating limit, and the results read falsely low because the pan deformed. Always match your pan’s rating with your test method—especially if heating above 500°C. For more demanding runs, platinum pans keep results consistent even at the upper extremes.