Calorimetry Testing

PMIC is able to provide a large scope of calorimetry testing capabilities with its Mettler Toledo DSC 3+

DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY (DSC)

DSC measures the difference between the heat flows into specimens and a reference pan over a given temperature range with a specified heating rate.  This allows for the characterization of phase transitions, glass transitions, reactivity, curing and curing processes, stability, thermal history, heat capacity, purity, miscibility, and polymorphism.

Microscopy can be used to capture images of material transition under temperature.  Photocalorimetry can be used for the characterization of UV curing systems, to assist in the establishment of best curing practices for the customer’s material.  Microscopy and photocalorimetry may become available at PMIC based on customer demand.

ASTM E1269 SPECIFIC HEAT TESTING

A reference material and the specimen is heated or cooled at a controlled rate in a closed atmosphere.  Due to energy changes specific to the materials, heat flow into the two materials differs.  This difference is continually monitored and recorded.  The specific heat capacity of the test specimen is then calculated by multiplying the specific heat of a reference sapphire by the heat flow measured from the specimen times the mass of the sapphire divided by the mass of the specimen times the heat flow measured from the sapphire.  For ASTM E1269, homogeneity is important for accurate results.

THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS (TGA)

PMIC is pleased to collaborate with a field expert for the use of quality equipment for TGA testing.  The mass of the customer’s material is measured over time as the temperature changes.  TGA may be used for characterizing absorption, desorption, thermal decomposition, ignition temperatures, phase transitions, and thermal stability.