Material characterization by fast scanning calorimetry: Practice and applications

Abstract

Fast scanning calorimetry (FSC) is used for the measurement of phase transformations over a wide scanning rate range. We describe the use of FSC, including temperature measurement, correction, and curve evaluation. We focus especially on topics regarding sensor treatment and sample preparation on examples of polymers and metal alloys. Furthermore, we discuss general concepts for the analysis of materials using FSC. In this context, we discuss processes like glass formability and crystallization of metal alloys. Through the example of polymers we discuss the analysis of the glass transition and the influence of the different mobile and rigid fractions on the glass behavior. Different methods to study crystallization, reorganization, and melting are discussed with the help of polymer examples. For practical purposes, the behavior of the initial material and material stability are of interest. Therefore, we extensively discuss the sample preparation, measurement, and evaluation for these topics. The fundamental discussion can be adapted for all types of FSC instruments using chip sensors. As an example of such an instrument we use the Flash DSC. This is a widely used, commercial fast scanning calorimeter.