• Direct, low-temperature desorption of a small section of the material (typically 20-50 mg) weighed into an empty sample tube. Used to assess emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and semi-volatiles (SVOC)(fogging compounds). Analysis is by GCMS.
  
  
• Thermal extraction of volatiles and fogging compounds as above but for larger samples (5-10 grammes) using a Markes Micro-Chamber / Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE). In this case vapours sampled onto Tenax^® tubes (VOCs and SVOCs) or DNPH cartridges (formaldehyde) and are subsequent analysis by TD-GCMS or HPLC respectively.
  
  
• Testing surface emissions under controlled conditions (temperature, air change rate, humidity, etc.) using µ-CTE, FLEC, small chambers or large bags. Emitted vapours are collected onto Tenax tubes or DNPH cartridges and analysed as described above.
  
  

Thermal Desorption Technical Support literature available 

TDTS 28: Optimising Analytical Performance and Extending the Application Range of Thermal Desorption for Monitoring Air Indoors and Inside Vehicle Cabins 

TDTS 33: Analysis of the interior atmosphere of a saloon car using Thermal Desorption and GCMS 

TDTS 40: Direct desorption of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds from furnishings such as leather or textiles

TDTS 59: Direct desorption of Car Trim Materials for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC) analysis. In accordance with method VDA 278. 

TDTS 65: Automating the measurement of VOCs and Semi-VOCs in building materials and car trim components using direct thermal desorption 

TDTS 67: Using the Micro-Chamber / Thermal Extractor (µ-CTE) to automate materials emissions testing for industrial quality control

TDTS 69: The Micro-Chamber / Thermal Extractor - the innovative, rapid and cost effective approach for testing VOC emissions from materials 

TDTS 73: Summary of peer-reviewed publication: ‘A microscale device for measuring emissions from materials for indoor use’

TDTS 74: Summary of peer-reviewed publication: ‘Emission cells and comparison to small chambers for materials emissions testing’


Useful Links

International Automotive Research Centre-Warwick Manufacturing Group

MIRA- Motor Industry Research Association

Fraunhofer - Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI)

JAMA- Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc.

TÜV Rhineland Group- "Allergy Tested Interior" certification

Ecology Center – “Toxic at any speed” publication 

Eurofins - "Micro-Chamber - an important tool for fast emission testing" (download the Eurofins PDF here)


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