The glass transition and structural recovery using flash dsc

Abstract

Rapid scanning chip calorimetry is a very useful tool for studying the glass transition and the related enthalpy relaxation kinetics. In this chapter, we review the practical aspects of making fictive temperature and enthalpy recovery measurements, including for ultrathin samples. The cooling rate dependence of the glass transition is discussed, as well as the Tg depression for ultrathin polystyrene and polycarbonate samples. The advantages of the short instrument response time and high cooling rates can be particularly exploited for enthalpy recovery measurements, and these are discussed in detail.