DSC or Differential Scanning Calorimetry is not a new process and has been in use since the early part of the 1960s. This is a process where a sample of the material is heated with a reference under carefully controlled temperature and over a very carefully measured period of time.
When DSC testing is used with polymers, it is possible to identify the various points or stages at which thermal transition occurs. This information, these transition points, can then be compared to the known material to assist in identifying the material or the composition of the material. It is not a stand-alone test for this type of application.
Determining Transitions
There are two key types of transitions for polymers that can be measured using DSC testing. The first one is the melting point, which is a fairly straightforward concept. However, it is important to know that from this information it is also possible to show the polymer degradation, which will result in a lower melting point with poorer quality or lower grades of the polymer.
The second type of transition that can be identified with this testing method is the glass transition temperatures. These are the temperatures at which a solid, non-crystalline material transitions from a hard and brittle state to a softer or viscous state with an increase in temperature.
Test Results
Both of these results will provide valuable information about the polymer being tested. The use of DSC testing can determine purity or quality as well as the specific use parameters around a particular polymer before the transitions occur.
Knowing this information is critical in choosing a specific polymer for a given application. With the advanced reporting available this will provide insight into the potential performance of the polymer over time and in different working types of environments and applications.
