Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC)
Description
Differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC) measures time, temperature, heat flow, and
by integration of the heat flow, enthalpy. The most common
DSC application is the precise measurement of transition temperature
and evaluation of state of cure for resin.
 Properties
Measured
1. Temperature. Important temperature
measurements include:
- Melting Temperature
- Glass Transition Temperature
- Thermal Stability Temperature
- Oxidation Onset Temperature
- Cure Onset Temperature
- Crystallization Temperature
- Polymorphic Transition Temperature
- Liquid Crystal Transition Temperature
- Protein Denaturation Temperature
- Solid-Solid Transition Temperature
2. Heat Flow. DSC heat flow signal is commonly
used to measure:
- Specific Heat Capacity
- Glass Transition
- Hazard Potential
- Cure Rates
- Estimation of Lifetime
- Kinetics
3. Enthalpy. Integration of the DSC heat flow
signal gives quantitative
enthalpy information about the transition.
Examples of enthalpy
measurements include:
- Heat of Fusion
- Explosion Potential
- Percent Crystallinity
- Degree of Cure
- Heat of Crystallization
- Heat of Reaction
4. Time
Kinetics is the study of the effects of time
and temperature on a reaction. Common tests include reaction
induction time measurements (ASTM E2046), oxidation induction
time (ASTM D3895) and constant temperature stability measurement
(E487). The range of temperature covered by DSC is from
room temperature to 600 °C.
Benefits
DSC is ideal for research and quality control
applications. Whether measuring a melting temperature of a
polymer or the polymorphic transition of a pharmaceutical,
DSC provides the information quickly and easily on a minimum
amount of sample.
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