Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) is a technique used to measure the dimensional changes of materials as they are subjected to temperature variations and mechanical stress. This method is crucial for understanding how materials respond under different thermal conditions, revealing insights about their mechanical properties and transitions, such as softening or crystallization. TMA plays a vital role in the characterization of materials like shape memory polymers, providing essential data on their behavior when exposed to heat and stress, which directly influences their functionality in soft robotics applications.
congrats on reading the definition of Thermomechanical Analysis. now let's actually learn it.