Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) generally refers to the simultaneous application of Thermogravimetry (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to one and the same sample in a single instrument. The advantages are obvious: The test conditions are perfectly identical for the TGA and DSC signals (same atmosphere, gas flow rate, vapor pressure on the sample, heating rate, thermal contact to the sample crucible and sensor, radiation effect, etc.). Furthermore, sample throughput is improved as more information can be gathered from each test run.

Thermogravimetric analysis or thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) is a method of thermal analysis in which the mass of a sample is measured over time as the temperature changes. This measurement provides information about physical phenomena, such as phase transitions, absorption, adsorption and desorption; as well as chemical phenomena including chemisorption, thermal decomposition, and solid-gas reactions (e.g., oxidation or reduction). A complementary DSC heat flow sensor simultaneously detects thermal events such as melting and crystallization in addition to providing accurate and precise transition temperatures.