The use of thermal analytical procedures to obtain both thermodynamic and kinetic parameters is outlined. The advantage of DTA techniques in establishing thermodynamic data is demonstrated. Kinetic data calculated from TG data is demonstrated. Kinetic data calculated from TG data leads to plots of the logarithm of the specific reaction rate constant against 1/T (whereT is the temperature in degrees Kelvin) and from this point onwards the calculation is the same to establish the kinetic parameters no matter whether the data was obtained from TG or isothermal studies. Information on changes in the density and surface area of solid residues in the decomposition process leads to the conclusion that the number of particles present changes significantly during the decomposition and it is pointed out that this factor is largely ignored in setting up kinetic models for the decomposition of solid materials.