Thermal properties play a vital role in the behaviour of polymers in a vast number of applications throughout various industries including, but not limited to, the automotive, textile, medical and consumer industries. Various thermal analysis tools are available including Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) to name but a few. These analytical tools allow manufacturers to better understand their products and can direct product development for manufacturing of materials to meet criteria for specific applications. Information such as softening points, melting temperatures, congealing temperatures and thermal stability can be probed.
DSC is by far the most common thermal analysis technique used throughout industry and academia. It is used for both routine analysis to verify product specifications and in new material development where specific thermal properties are targeted. Information on the crystalline and amorphous domains in a sample can be probed by looking at the crystalline melting region and glass transition region of the resultant thermogram.
Benefits of DSC analyses:
· Small sample size required
· Customizable temperature cycles
· Interchangeable cell atmospheres
· Various heating and cooling rates
Examples of DSC applications in material science:
· Evaluation of melting temperature (Tm)
· Evaluation of crystallization temperatures(Tc)
· Evaluation of glass transition temperature (Tg)
· Study blend miscibility
· Probe contamination within samples
· Analyse degree of crystallinity
· Analyse curing or crosslinking
· Analyse thermal degradation/stability
Combination of DSC with FTIR allows for a good point of departure during routine quality control operations, product development or identification of an unknown sample.
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