Glass transition (Tg)
The step where an amorphous material changes from glassy to rubbery.
Useful forPolymers, amorphous drugs, resinsThermal Analysis
DSC
Differential Scanning Calorimetry
DSC measures the heat flowing into or out of a sample as it is heated or cooled. It shows melting, crystallisation, glass transitions and curing, with the temperatures and energies involved.
5 test optionsOnly 2–10 mg of sample per runFrom −70 °C up to 600 °CTypical turnaround 3–5 working days
DSC measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is DSC?
Differential Scanning Calorimetry heats a few milligrams of sample in a small sealed pan next to an empty reference pan, following a set temperature programme. It records the difference in heat flow between the two, so glass transitions, melting, crystallisation and reactions appear as steps or peaks.
Because the signal is calibrated in energy, DSC gives both the temperature of a transition and its enthalpy (J/g), from which crystallinity, degree of cure or purity can be worked out. It is the standard thermal method for polymers, pharmaceuticals and fats; it does not measure mass loss, which needs TGA.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is sealed in a pan
A few milligrams are weighed into a small aluminium pan and a lid is crimped on.
- 02
Pans go into the cell
The sample pan and an empty reference pan sit side by side on the sensor.
- 03
Heating programme runs
The cell heats or cools both pans at a steady rate, typically 10 °C/min, under a nitrogen purge.
- 04
Heat flow is recorded
The heat-flow difference between the pans is plotted against temperature as steps and peaks.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Melting point & enthalpy
Melting temperature and the heat absorbed, in J/g.
Useful forPolymers, APIs, fats and waxesCrystallisation & crystallinity
Crystallisation temperature, and % crystallinity from the melting enthalpy.
Useful forSemicrystalline polymersCuring & reaction heat
Exothermic cure of resins, and any residual cure left in a part.
Useful forEpoxies, adhesives, compositesPolymorphism & purity
Separate crystal forms, and melting-point depression caused by impurities.
Useful forPharmaceuticals, fine chemicalsSpecific heat capacity (Cp)
Heat needed to warm the sample, measured against a reference standard.
Useful forMaterials data, thermal design04 / Test options
Choose the DSC options you need
5 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Powders, granules, films, fibres, pastes, liquids and small solid pieces
- Quantity
- At least 50 mg per sample (2–10 mg is used per run)
- Piece size
- Small enough to lie flat in a ~5 mm pan
- Stability
- Must not decompose or give off corrosive gas within the test range
- Dry samples, unless moisture is part of the study
- Mention the expected melting or decomposition temperature, if known
- Send in sealed, labelled vials
- No samples that decompose, explode or release corrosive gas in the range
- Don't send wet or solvent-laden samples without saying so
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- DSC thermogram (heat flow vs temperature)
- Onset and peak temperatures (Tg, Tm, Tc)
- Enthalpy values (J/g) from peak integration
- Crystallinity or degree of cure on request
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 3–5 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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