Figure 11.13
Schematic DTA curve of a typical polymer. Note: glass
transitions reflect a heat capacity change and thus they
are seen as 'steps' on the baseline rather than peaks.Figure 11.14
DTA curve of a seven-component polymer mixture
showing endothermic peaks associated with melting.11.3—
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Summary
Principles
Sample and an inert reference heated separately, with the power supply to the sample heater variable so
that the temperature difference can be maintained at zero even when endothermic or exothermic
changes occur. The difference in power supplied to the two heaters is monitored as the analytical signal
(∆E). Alternatively, the differential heat flow to sample and standard when they are heated from the
same source is monitored.