The ESMAT platform is a state-of-the-art infrastructure dedicated to characterizing the behavior of solid materials (bulk or powders) subjected to extreme thermal and chemical stresses.
Equipped with 14 high-tech instruments, this platform enables nanometer-precision analysis of the physical and chemical transformations of materials under controlled atmospheres and pressures.
Our expertise and analytical capabilities
The platform enables real-time monitoring of material evolution along several axes:
- Mass and energy monitoring
Measurement of mass variations (thermogravimetry) and heat flow (calorimetry). - Structural and dimensional analysis
Monitoring shrinkage during sintering and measuring thermal expansion coefficients. - Surface characterization
Study of adsorbed species by temperature-programmed desorption. - Analysis of emitted gases:
Online identification of chemical species via spectroscopic and spectrometric couplings.
Equipment and technical specifications
Our instrument fleet covers a temperature range from -30°C to 1750°C, under vacuum, gas flow, or water vapor.
Thermogravimetry (TG) and Calorimetry (DSC/DTA)
We have 9 units enabling high-precision coupled measurements:
- High-temperature thermobalances (up to 1750°C)
3 Setaram TAG 24 (symmetric) and 1 Setaram DTA/TG 92. - Analyses under water vapor or vacuum
Setaram MTB 10-8, Sensys Evo and TAG 24. - Standard analyzers
Netzsch TG 209 (1000°C), Mettler Toledo DSC 1 (1500°C) and Setaram Setsys.
Dilatometry and thermodesorption
- Setaram TMA 92 dilatometer
Sintering and expansion measurements from 20°C to 1750°C under gas flow. - Thermodesorption instrument
Surface analysis from 20°C to 1000°C.
Focus on couplings and gas analysis
One of the ESMAT platform’s strengths lies in its ability to identify degradation or reaction products in real time.
- Gas analysis
Online coupling with Mass Spectrometry and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). - Georges Friedel Laboratory expertise
We develop our own setups to correlate mass loss with other physical phenomena:- Coupling TG / Acoustic emission: detection of emissive structural defects.
- Coupling TG / Electric field: study of the electrical influence on oxidation kinetics.
Technical characteristics and capabilities of the instrument fleet
To help you choose the right equipment, here is a summary of the capabilities of our main measurement instruments:
| Analysis technique | Available models | Temperature range | Measurement environment |
| High-temperature TG / DSC | Setaram TAG 24 (x3) | 20°C to 1750°C | Gas flow, water vapor, symmetry |
| Standard TG / DTA | Setaram DTA/TG 92 | 20°C to 1750°C | Gas flow |
| Precision TG / DSC | Mettler Toledo DSC 1 | 20°C to 1500°C | Gas flow |
| Vacuum TG | Setaram MTB 10-8 | 20°C to 100°C | Vacuum, water vapor |
| Low-temperature DSC | Setaram 131 | -30°C to 700°C | Gas flow |
| Dilatometry (TMA) | Setaram TMA 92 | 20°C to 1750°C | Gas flow (shrinkage/expansion) |
| Thermodesorption | Dedicated instrument | 20°C to 1000°C | Study of adsorbed species |
Application areas
Thanks to its versatility, the ESMAT platform supports key players in many strategic sectors:
- Energy and Nuclear
Material ageing, high-temperature oxidation. - Materials and Construction
Sintering, thermal cycles, durability. - Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering
Phase transitions, heat treatments. - Health and Environment
Pharmaceutical products, gas capture, decontamination.
📞 Contact and access
The ESMAT platform is open to academic collaborations and industrial services.
Location
Mines Saint-Étienne – Saint-Étienne Campus, 158 cours Fauriel, Saint-Étienne