Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a method of material investigation

摘要

Thermal analysis is used to establish thermodynamic properties which are essential for understanding the behavior of material under different heating and cooling rates, under inert, reduction or oxida-tion atmosphere or under different gas pressures. Thermal analysis comprises a group of techniques in which a physical property of a substance is measured to a controlled temperature program. In this paper only two methods are presented: differential thermal analy-sis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results given from the DTA or DSC curves depend on the preparation of the material, and on the instrument sensitivity. The sensitivity is in close relation to the apparatuses design. Several types of DTA and DSC apparatuses are described as well as the use. New types of DSC devices are being developed which will have the capability of high heating / cooling rates and with shorter response time.