DSC Practical Interpretation with Examples for Polymer Development

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is not limited to characterizing & identifying polymeric materials. From determining best processing temperatures, estimating percent crystallinity, to measuring residual cure and Tg, this analytical tool has a lot to offer.

Make sure to equip yourself with the right interpretation skills and explore the advantages of this technique (material condition, properties…) by joining this course and learn to:

1. Extract more concrete data (glass transition temperatures, percent crystallinity, oxidative stability, degree of cure...) by learning how to efficiently interpret DSC curves.


2. Optimize performance of your polymeric materials by seeing in practice how to proceed on real cases (material identification, failure analysis).


3. Design better development strategy by understanding the key requirements to overcome issues like calibration, sample preparation, contamination…

R&D people who want to efficiently use DSC to either optimize their existing formulations or develop new ones.


Complete the course and unlock your personalized certificate – your badge of accomplishment awaits!

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The following sections will be covered during this session:

1. Fundamentals of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) in polymer analysis
   • Overview of DSC
   • Understand how DSC experiments are run for polymers
   • How to review & interpret DSC analysis data?


2. Application of DSC to Polymer Systems:
   • Identification of polymers, polymer blends, polymer additives…
   • Material condition (degradation, purity, oxidative stability, molded-in stress…)
   • Polymer properties (crystallinity, heat history…)


3. Modulated DSC
   • Standard DSC vs modulated DSC
   • Operating principle
   • Commonly plotted MDSC signals


4. DSC Test Methods & Thermogram Interpretation
   • Important parameters to consider (sample pan, calibration, purge gas…)
   • Determining the starting point of the data
   • Endothermic vs exothermic
   • Thermogram artifacts


5. Main Sources of Errors in DSC
   • Pitfalls to avoid for best results


6. Real Life Cases (Automotive sleeve, Electrical housing, Plastic coupling…)


7. 30 mins Q&A - Interact live/ ask questions directly from the expert!

Questions you will be able to answer post taking this course:

• How melting point can be used to identify plastic materials of different types (PE, PP, PA…)?
• How DSC can be applied to differentiate between types of nylon?
• How crystalline melting temperature (Tm) can be used to distinguish homopolymers & copolymers?
• How can I quickly identify plastics by glass transition temperature?
• How DSC can detect the presence of contaminants in a material?

Have a query? Email us for any help!