Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)
$99 Base price View My Quote RequestDifferential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique used to characterize a variety of temperature-dependent physical and chemical changes in a material.
Strengths
- Direct method of measuring heat capacity and detecting thermal transitions in the material
- Straightforward data collection
- 3 sample pan types available to accomodate different material types
Limitations
- Oxidation analysis, volatile material characterization, thermal degradation experiments, and solvent loss measurements are not supported as they can permanently damage the instrument
- Upper temperature limit must be lower than material decomposition temperature
Technical Specifications:
Learn More:
Base Prices
Technique Variants
Pricing Starts At
Action
Example Outputs
DSC curve measured from Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) packaging. First upward-oriented (endothermic) peak shows cold crystallization; next negative (exothermic) peak corresponds with the material melting point (annotated). Glass transition occurred near 70 C as a step in the heat-flow baseline.
From: Center for Advanced Materials Analysis in Oregon (CAMCOR)
Instruments Used for DSC
TA Instruments DSC 2500
- Temperature Range: -90 to 550 °C
- Temperature Accuracy: ± 0.025 °C
- Nitrogen Atmosphere
- View Instrument Spec Sheet
Sample Requirements
- Solid samples only
- No volatile samples
- Sample material must have no chemical incompatibility with pan material (pan options: aluminum and gold)
- Only samples with known decomposition temperature can be tested
(TGA recommended as a preliminary test / screening method to validate sample viability for DSC) - For non-powder samples, must be able to trim sample to fit into DSC pan
- Safety data sheets for sample materials are required
How DSC Works
DSC instruments measure the amount heat transferred (exothermic (heat produced) and endothermic (heat required) between a sample and its environment as the overall temperature of the system is modulated / ramped.
The sample is placed in a small pan and sealed. To increase the precision of the measurement, the system simultaneously measures heat flux in both the sample of interest, and an adjacent reference (a “blank,” or empty) pan.
After the energy transfer in the reference is subtracted from the specimen signal, one is left with a DSC curve that quantitatively reflects the temperature dependence of numerous thermal events. Characteristic features in a DSC curve correspond to certain thermodynamic processes, as well as exothermic and endothermic chemical and physical transitions. These transitions can include include: recrystallization, softening and phase changes.
By identifying these, it is possible to quantify the temperatures at which they occur, often allowing identification of the material (s) and to calculate additional, correlated thermal properties.
+
Add to Comparison
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
In Material Testing
Base Price: $300 / Sample
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to characterize sample volatility, as well as thermal stability and response. TGA instruments...
+
Add to Comparison
Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA)
In Material Testing
Please contact us
Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) probes the response of the sample’s thermal, dynamic, and static-mechanical properties as temperature is changed...
+
Add to Comparison
Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
In Material Testing
Please contact us
Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is used to study changes in the mechanical properties of a material under periodic...
+
Add to Comparison
Rheometry
In Material Testing
Base Price: $350 / Hour
Rheometry measures the flow and deformation of materials in response to applied stress and strain to evaluate their...
✕
Comparison link sent successfully
✕
Please use valid email address
✕
You need to have at least 2 techniques to compare
✕
You can select maximum 5 techniques
