03.02.2026 by Aileen Sammler
From Kinetic Model to Real-World Application: How NETZSCH Termica Neo Simulates Thermal Reactions
This blog article is the first of our five-part series “The New Dimension of Thermal Analysis with NETZSCH Termica Neo: Software for the Thermal Simulation of Chemical Reactions on an Industrial Scale.”
Stay tuned and read about the following topics over the next few weeks: From the Kinetic Model to Real-World Applications; Scale-up & Safety; Polymer Curing; Thermoplastic CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.Crystallization (PA12); Ceramic SinteringSintering is a production process for forming a mechanically strong body out of a ceramic or metallic powder. Sintering
Introduction: When Curves Become Reality
Every thermal process tells a story of energy, reactivity, or transformation. Until now, this story has been conveyed through one-dimensional curves: reaction rate vs. time, conversion vs. temperature. But what if you could see how these reactions unfold inside your material in three dimensions?
With NETZSCH Termica Neo, that vision becomes a reality. It bridges the gap between experimental kinetics and real-world applications, turning measured data into dynamic thermal fields you can explore, analyze, and optimize.
Termica Neo is a software program designed for the simulation of the thermal behavior and thermal safety in chemical reactions and CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization in solids or liquids. It operates in volumes with characteristic size ranging from centimeters to meters. Termica Neo’s primary applications involve materials characterized with elevated thermal potential, in conjunction with reactions such as Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing, cross-linking, SinteringSintering is a production process for forming a mechanically strong body out of a ceramic or metallic powder. sintering, Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition, and polymer CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization.
Why 1D Analysis Is Not Enough
In classic DSC, DIL, Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC)The method describing isothermal and adiabatic test procedures used to detect thermally exothermic decomposition reactions.ARC® or TGA measurements, we observe reactions at a given temperature. We see a curve that hides sample size, shape and the local story. However, in real-world applications, temperature, heat production and reaction fronts never behave uniformly:
- Hotspots form at the core, while the surface cools faster.
- Reaction rates vary with geometry, heat transfer, and material properties.
- Diffusion and Tg effects alter the kinetics as Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing or Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition progresses.
These are the effects that determine product quality, safety, and performance; yet until now, they were invisible. That is where the NETZSCH Termica Neo software comes into play.
Introducing Termica Neo: The Simulation Software for Thermal Analysis
Termica Neo extends the power of thermal analysis from data to simulation. It directly imports kinetic models from the NETZSCH Kinetics Neo Software, whether they are model-free or model-based, single-step or multi-step, autocatalytic or diffusion-controlled.
Once the kinetics data has been loaded, you can additionally define:
- Material properties (Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity, DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. density, Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity)
- Container and environment (material, thickness, emissivity, convection)
- Temperature programs: IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.isothermal, dynamic, step-IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.isothermal, modulated, or externally controlled.
The result is a virtual laboratory, where complex reactive behavior can be simulated in 2D or 3D geometries such as plates, cylinders, spheres, or rotational bodies.
From Data to Dynamic Fields
Once launched, Termica Neo computes temperature, conversion, conversion rate, and concentration distributions over the entire volume of your sample, not just over time.
Interactive 2D and 3D views allow you to rotate, slice, and zoom into the process. Hotspots become visible. Reaction fronts move before your eyes. The results can be exported as heat maps, 3D renders, or AVI animations for reporting and communication purposes.
Impact on R&D and Industry
With the NETZSCH Termica Neo software, the measurement curve becomes a predictive simulation tool:
- Predict reaction homogeneity during Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition, Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing, or SinteringSintering is a production process for forming a mechanically strong body out of a ceramic or metallic powder. sintering.
- Anticipate temperature gradients that may cause StressStress is defined as a level of force applied on a sample with a well-defined cross section. (Stress = force/area). Samples having a circular or rectangular cross section can be compressed or stretched. Elastic materials like rubber can be stretched up to 5 to 10 times their original length.stress or incomplete reaction.
- Optimize cycle times and safety margins before conducting a single large-scale test.
This approach is faster, safer, and far more insightful than traditional “trial and error.”
Imagine being able to validate your Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing, SinteringSintering is a production process for forming a mechanically strong body out of a ceramic or metallic powder. sintering or Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition behavior at the press of a button. That’s what the NETZSCH Termica Neo software delivers.
Download the new brochure to find out more:
What You can Do with Termica Neo
- Simulate your materials’ behavior at each point inside the container
- Find out where and when the maximum temperature or maximum conversion rate of the reactant inside the container are
- Determine the temperature, conversion, and concentrations for a given time and position of the reactant inside the container
- Predict your degree of Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing, Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition and CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization
- Determine thermal safety conditions for production and storage
About This Blog Series
This article is the first article in our five-part blog series: “The New Dimension of Thermal Analysis with NETZSCH Termica Neo: Software for the Thermal Simulation of Chemical Reactions on an Industrial Scale.”
In the upcoming posts, we’ll dive deeper into:
- Scale-up and Safety: How Termica Neo helps identify critical conditions such as Self-Accelerating Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. Decomposition Temperature (SADT), AdiabaticAdiabatic describes a system or measurement mode without any heat exchange with the surroundings. This mode can be realized using a calorimeter device according to the method of accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). The main purpose of such a device is to study scenarios and thermal runaway reactions. A short description of the adiabatic mode is “no heat in – no heat out”.adiabatic scenarios or Φ-factor limitations.
- Polymer Curing, Thermoplastic CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.Crystallization, and Ceramic SinteringSintering is a production process for forming a mechanically strong body out of a ceramic or metallic powder. Sintering: Real-world examples from industry demonstrate how simulation provides information that cannot be obtained through measurements alone.
Stay tuned! Each article stands on its own, but together they reveal how Termica Neo transforms thermal analysis from data collection to true thermal intelligence.
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Useful links:
Get your free demo version:Request Demo Version of Temica Form - NETZSCH Termica Neo
Direct contact:Feature Request - NETZSCH Kinetics Neo
Learn even more:Termica Neo - NETZSCH Termica Neo
