Thermal analysis: basic concept of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry for beginners

Abstract

We present an overview for the basic fundamental of thermal analysis, which is applicable for educational purposes, especially for lecturers at the universities, who may refer to the articles as the references to “teach” or to “lecture” to final year project students or young researchers who are working on their postgraduate projects. Description of basic instrumentation [i.e. differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA)] covers from what we should know about the instrument, calibration, baseline and samples’ signal. We also provide the step-by-step guides for the estimation of the glass transition temperature after DSC as well as examples and exercises are included, which are applicable for teaching activities. Glass transition temperature is an important property for commercial application of a polymeric material, e.g. packaging, automotive, etc. TGA is also highlighted where the analysis gives important thermal degradation information of a material to avoid sample decomposition during the DSC measurement. The step-by-step guides of the estimation of the activation energy after TGA based on Hoffman’s Arrhenius-like relationship are also provided.

Keywords

• decomposition temperature
• differential scanning calorimetry
• glass transition temperature
• thermal properties
• thermogravimetry