Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a powerful thermal analytical tool that performs quantitative calorimetric measurements on solid, liquid or semisolid samples. The DSC measures the quantity of heat that flows into or out of the sample using temperature sensors which are positioned in the heating block of a "heat flux" type DSC. A temperature program is applied to a sample and an inert reference material in the DSC cell and the sensors measure the temperature difference between them. When the sample undergoes a thermal process that evolves heat, such as crystallization, the DSC plot shows an increase in heat flow. This is indicative of an exothermic event because the temperature registered by the sample sensor is higher than that sensed for the reference. If the sample undergoes a thermal event that causes it to absorb more heat than the reference does (such as melting), the DSC plot shows a decrease in heat flow. This is called an endotherm and, in this case, the temperature sensor measures a lower temperature for the sample compared to the reference.
A typical DSC scan involves heating the sample at a controlled steady rate, such as 10°C per minute, and monitoring the heat flow to characterize the phase transitions and/or cure reactions as a function of increasing temperature. More involved studies utilize multiple heating and/or cooling ramps, as well as isothermal hold segments. EAG Laboratories also offers a temperature modulation technique (Modulated DSC), which is capable of measuring weak transitions and separating overlapping thermal events.
EAG Laboratories also features some DSC instruments that measure absolute heat flow because correction factors for cell resistance and capacitance have been applied. These instruments can output a heat capacity signal directly in a single experiment by dividing the absolute heat flow by the measured heating rate. Monitoring the heat-capacity signal as a function of the applied experimental conditions (such as a heating ramp) can determine how the heat capacity of the sample changes as it undergoes a phase change or a chemical reaction. Direct heat capacity measurements can also be obtained at isothermal temperatures with a high level of accuracy.
Works best for samples having a surface that spreads relatively flat against the bottom of the "crucible" or pan.