DSC 3+ Differential scanning calorimeter  Mettler Toledo DSC823e Differential scanning calorimeter

The differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) records the temperature of the sample as a function of the heat energy provided to the sample. Observing the temperature changes of the sample in relation to the heat energy input enables simple conclusions on parameters and phenomena such as heat ca-pacity, phase changes, chemical conversions or decompositions and their enthalpies.

© 2022 Mettler Toledo

DSC measurement of a commercially available PCM and recording of its phase changes, recognisable by its peaks. The shaded area (“integral”) beneath a peak corresponds with the enthalpy of this phase change.
© 2019 HSLU-T&A (analytics lab)

Facts List

Measured Parameter

heat flow

Detection Method

Differential scanning calorimetry

Range

-60 °C to 550 °C

Application

Analysis of phase changes
Measurement for heat capacity
Enthalpy measurements

Materials

Organic and/or inorganic liquids or solids

During an experiment, the sample is heated in an isolated chamber. At the same time the temperature of the sample is being recorded and compared with a reference cell. Generally, heating the sample leads to its temperature to rise proportionally to the energy supplied. If endothermic (“heat absorbing”) or exothermic (“heat releasing”) phenomena occur (e.g. during a chemical reaction or a phase change), they contribute to the changes in sample temperature. The temperature change will there-fore deviate from the previous regular pattern. Observing and tracking the temperature changes of the sample under controlled thermal energy feed enables thus the detection of changes that would have otherwise been missed by eye, as well as the recognition of the actual exact temperature, at which these transitions take place. Additionally, calculations of physicochemical parameters such as phase change enthalpies or decomposition enthalpies become possible.