DSC

Q: How is DSC different from TGA?

DSC measures heat flow and thermal transitions , while TGA measures mass change as a function of temperature.

What Is DSC?

DSC measures the difference in heat flow between a sample and a reference while both are subjected to a controlled temperature program. When a material undergoes a physical or chemical change—such as melting, crystallization, or glass transition—DSC detects the associated heat absorption or release.

DSC is highly sensitive to subtle thermal events that may not be visible through visual inspection or standard mechanical testing.

What DSC Measures

DSC can be used to determine:

Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)
Melting temperature (Tm) and melting behavior
Crystallization temperature (Tc)
Enthalpy of melting or crystallization
Degree of crystallinity (when applicable)
Heat capacity changes
Thermal stability and transition reproducibility

These parameters are essential for understanding processing behavior and service performance.

Why DSC Matters

Thermal transitions strongly influence material properties and performance. DSC helps you:

select materials for specific temperature ranges
optimize processing conditions such as molding, curing, or annealing
detect formulation or compositional differences
monitor batch-to-batch consistency
identify thermal degradation or unexpected transitions
support failure investigations related to heat exposure

Typical Application Scenarios

Polymers & Plastics

Glass transition and melting behavior evaluation
Crystallinity comparison between grades or batches
Effect of additives, fillers, or plasticizers

Pharmaceuticals

Solid-state characterization
Polymorphic behavior and phase transitions
Stability and compatibility assessment

Quality Control & Supplier Qualification

Batch consistency verification
Incoming material comparison
Detection of formulation changes

Materials R&D

Development of new formulations
Optimization of thermal processing windows
Screening of material candidates

Failure Analysis

Investigation of unexpected softening or deformation
Identification of thermal history differences
Comparison of “good vs. failed” materials

Sample Types

DSC is commonly applied to:

polymers and plastics
pharmaceuticals and chemical compounds
resins, adhesives, and coatings
composites and blends
metals and alloys (selected applications)

Xinbodi selects appropriate sample mass, pan type, and temperature program based on material characteristics and project goals.

What You Will Receive

Each DSC project is delivered with a clear, structured report designed for engineering and R&D decisions. A typical deliverable includes:

test objective and sample description
temperature program and experimental conditions
DSC thermograms with identified transitions
calculated thermal parameters (Tg, Tm, Tc, enthalpy, etc.)
comparison summaries between samples or conditions
interpretation linked to processing and performance
recommendations for optimization or complementary testing

Why Choose Xinbodi for DSC?

Experience with a wide range of material systems
Careful method selection tailored to your application
High sensitivity for detecting subtle thermal events
Clear interpretation beyond raw curves
Support for R&D, QC, and failure investigations
Confidential handling of proprietary materials and data

DSC