The thermal degradation of polyamide 6, polyamide 66 and of polyamide 612 was studied using three different thermal analyzers with combined techniques for the evolved gas analysis (TA-MS and TA-FTIR). The sample masses were about 13 mg, 20 mg and 1 g; the heating rates were 2.6 and 10 K min(-1). Nitrogen, argon and synthetic air were used as carrier gases. The evolved gaseous products were captured on the resin XAD-4, desorbed and analyzed off-line by GC/MS. The advantages and limitations of each technique are emphasized as well as the form in which its application is maximized when using them simultaneously. (C), 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.