Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) allows for determining of thermal properties of a material in a range of -200 – 400 °C:
• Melting temperature T_m
• Crystallisation temperature T_c
• Glass-transition temperature T_g
• Onset temperatures of every thermal transition T_onset as well as borders thereof
• Enthalpy of melting, crystallisation, and other thermal transitions of 1st type, which can be recalculated into the content of the respective phase, e.g. degree of crystallinity χ_c.
• Heat capacity C_p
Besides direct determination of thermal properties of a sample, this method can be used for estimation of sample composition, presence of impurities, chirality, liquid crystalline phases, solid-solid transitions, but not limited to those. DSC can also be run in the isothermal mode to investigate the energy in- or output at constant temperature, e.g. measuring kinetics of a chemical reaction. The measurements can be performed in air or in nitrogen.

DSC requires 10 mg of a sample. However, for the sake of manipulation, possible errors, or repetitive measurements, we would require at least 100 mg of the sample. DSC is not limited to polymeric materials. The sample can be solid bulk or powder. Even liquids can be analysed in limited cases, when they are not volatile and studied below their boiling point. It is highly recommended to provide decomposition temperature to avoid thermal decomposition of the sample during the measurements and emission of oxidation products. The sample must be provided a dry in a tightly closed container. Please inform us, if the sample is sensitive to light, moisture, or anything else and pack it accordingly. If you don’t know this about your sample, ask us ! The samples cannot be recovered after the analysis.

The report includes a table with instrument raw data, a pdf-spectrum with signed thermal transitions and their thermal effect, i.e. enthalpy or thermal capacity change.