Differential Scanning Calorimetry

DSC measures heat flows in a material during thermal transitions.

Polymer curing & melting, temp. stability, alloy heat treatment, protein denaturation

The DSCs can characterize exothermic transitions (crystallization, curing, decomposition, etc.) and endothermic transitions (melting, glass transition, evaporation, etc.) by comparing heat absorbed or released by the sample compared to an inert reference pan during heating, cooling, or constant temperatures. 

Instrument: There are two DSCs in the lab, both are DSC 2500s from TA Instruments with 50 position autosamplers. Sensitivity < 0.2 µW, and baseline drift < 10 µW.

One DSC has the liquid nitrogen (LN2) pump accessory as a cooling unit: temperature range from –150 °C to 400 °C at 10°C/min.

The other has the refrigerated cooling system (RCS): temperature range from -50°C to 400°C at 10°C/min. 

Please check manual for temperature range vs. ramp rate, and information about sample requirements.

Calibration: Indium. Sapphire was used for heat capacity constant.