Question

in cohesive sentences explain how Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) instrument works. Illustrate your explanation with a simple but realistic drawing.

What kind of physical properties can be measured with DSC? What are the differences between Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) vs Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)?

Answer 1

Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) calculate the temperatures and heat flows associated with thermal transitions in a material. A technique in which the temperature of the sample unit, formed by a sample and reference material, is varied in a specified program, and the temperature difference between the sample and the reference material is measured as a function of temperature.

The Physical properties that can be measured are transition such as the glass transition, melting, and crystallization. Furthermore, the chemical reaction such as thermal curing, heat history, specific heat capacity, and purity analysis are also measurable.

The difference between DSC and DTA..

DTA- When the furnace heating begins, the reference and the sample begin heating with a slight delay depending on their respective heat capacity, and then it heat up in according to the furnace temperature.
ΔT changes until a static state is reached after the heating begins,on achieving stability, reaches a set amount compliant with the difference in heat capacity between the sample and the reference.

This is a technique in which the difference in temperature between the sample and a reference material is monitored against time or temperature while the temperature of the sample, in a specified atmosphere, is programmed.

Diagram of DSC

	Heat Sink Heat resistor                                                  Heat resistor Reference sample                       sample