Temperature-Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter
Dr. A.M. Awasthi
UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research
( An Autonomous Institute of University Grants Commission, New Delhi )
Thermal analysis (TA) is used in Materials Science, Electronics, Polymers, Pharmaceuticals, Geology, and Quality Control. Often the information gained here is impossible to obtain by other analytical methods. TA comprises of a group of techniques monitoring a sample property vs. temp and/or time, temp being programmed. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) measures the heat flows associated with transitions/processes in materials as a function of time and temperature in a controlled atmosphere. The measurements provide both quantitative and qualitative information about physico-chemical changes that involve endo/exothermic processes, or changes in heat capacity. Additionally, the temperature-modulation enhancement provides separate signals for complex reversing (equilibrium) and kinetic (dissipative/relaxational) processes, and delineates close-by events, irresolvable by the traditional TA methods.DSC technique is used to characterize the following:
- Glass Transition
- Crystallization
- Phase Transition
- Specific Heat
- Melting/Boiling
- Reaction Kinetics
- Heats of Fusion/Reactions
- Thermal Stability
- Percent Crystallinity
- Rate/Degree of Cure
- Purity