SEM image showing contamination on the surface of a component in an electrical switch assembly. Contamination analysis is conducted to determine the chemical make up and ID of the contaminants to identify the source.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
We use DSC analysis to obtain information on thermal transitions of polymers, including glass transition, melting temperature, crystallization temperatures, and heats of transition. The instrument is capable of temperature ramps from –150ºC to 600ºC.
Using a DSC (differential scanning calorimeter) the following are commonly determined:
Tg = Glass Transition Temperature = Temperature (°C) at which an amorphous polymer or an amorphous part of a crystalline polymer goes from a hard brittle state to a soft rubbery state.
Tm = melting point = Temperature (°C) at which a crystalline polymer melts.
Δ Hm = the amount of energy (joules/gram) which a sample absorbs while melting.
Tc = crystallization point = Temperature at which a polymer crystallizes upon heating or cooling.
Δ Hc = the amount of energy (joules/gram) a sample releases while crystallizing.
Combined with an FTIR Analysis, a DSC thermal scan can be used to help further identify certain types of materials by their melting points and is a useful tool for checking plastic parts or resins for contamination not seen by FTIR. It is also used to characterize materials for their thermal performance.
