The result of a DSC experiment is a heat flux curve versus temperature or versus time. There are two different conventions when representing thermal effects: the exothermic reactions exhibited by the sample can be shown as positive or negative peaks depending on the type of technology or instrumentation used in carrying out the experiment. The effects on or under a DSC curve can be used to calculate enthalpies of transitions. This calculation is performed by integrating the peak corresponding to a given transition. Thus, the enthalpy of the transition can be expressed by the following equation:

where ΔH is the enthalpy of the transition, K is the calorimetric constant and A is the area under the curve. The calorimetric constant will vary from instrument to instrument, and can be determined by analyzing a well-characterized sample with known transition enthalpies.[2]​.

Morphological analysis of materials

Differential scanning calorimetry can be used to measure various characteristic properties of a sample. Using this technique it is possible to characterize processes such as melting and crystallization as well as glass transition temperatures (T). DSC can also be used to study oxidation, as well as other chemical reactions.[1][2][3]​.

Glass transitions occur when the temperature of an amorphous solid is increased. These transitions appear as a disturbance (or step) in the baseline of the recorded DSC signal. That is, because the sample experiences a change in heat capacity without a formal phase change taking place.[1][3]​.

As the temperature increases, an amorphous solid will become less viscous. At some point the molecules may gain enough freedom of movement to arrange themselves into a crystalline form. This is known as the crystallization temperature") (T). This transition from amorphous solid to crystalline solid is an exothermic process and gives rise to a peak in the DSC curve. As the temperature increases, the sample eventually reaches its melting temperature (T). The melting process is evidenced by an endothermic peak in the DSC curve. The ability to determine transition temperatures and enthalpies makes DSC curves a valuable tool for producing phase diagrams") for various systems chemicals.[1]​.

Likewise, it is currently used in the characterization of polymers; that is, in the determination of their glass transition temperatures, melting points, specific heat and other intrinsic properties.[4]​.

In recent years this technology has been involved in the study of metallic materials. The characterization of this type of materials with DSC is still not easy due to the scarcity of literature on the matter. However, it is known that it is possible to use DSC to find solidus and liquidus temperatures of a metal alloy, but the most promising applications are, for now, in the study of precipitation, Guiner Preston zones, phase transitions, dislocation movement "Dislocation (crystal defect)"), grain growth, etc.

Study of liquid crystals

DSC can also be used to study liquid crystals. While they can be defined as transitions between solids and liquids, they can also be considered as a third state, exhibiting properties of both phases. This anisotropic liquid is known as a liquid crystalline or mesomorphic state. Using DSC, it is possible to characterize the small energetic changes that accompany transitions from a solid to a liquid crystal and from a liquid crystal to an isotropic liquid.[2]​.

Stability of a sample

The use of differential scanning calorimetry to study the oxidation stability of samples generally requires an airtight sample chamber. Generally, such tests are done isothermally (at constant temperature) by changing the atmosphere of the sample. First, the sample is subjected to the desired test temperature under an inert atmosphere, usually nitrogen. Oxygen is then added to the system. Any oxidation that occurs is observed as a deviation from the baseline. Such analyzes can be used to determine the stability and optimal storage conditions of a compound.[1]​.

pharmaceutical industry

DSC is frequently used in the pharmaceutical and polymer industries. glass transition.[1]​[2][3]​ In the pharmaceutical industry it is necessary to have well-characterized drugs to define processing parameters and for clinical dosing purposes. For example, if it is necessary to administer a drug in amorphous form, it is desirable to process the drug at temperatures below that at which crystallization can occur.[2]​.

Food research

In food research,[10] DSC is used in conjunction with other thermal analytical techniques to determine water dynamics. Changes in water distribution can be correlated with changes in texture. Similar to what happens in materials science, the effect of curing on prepared products can also be analyzed.

The recording of DSC curves also finds application in the assessment of the purity of drugs and polymers. This is possible because the temperature range in which a mixture of compounds melts is dependent on their relative quantities. This effect is due to a phenomenon known as freezing point depression, which occurs when a foreign solute is added to a solution. (The lowering of the freezing point of water by adding antifreeze is what, by preventing the formation of ice, allows the car to operate in winter). Consequently, less pure compounds will exhibit a melting peak broadening that begins at lower temperatures than a pure compound.[2]​[3]​.

Study of biological processes

Differential scanning calorimetry has found applications in the establishment of metabolic pathways,[11]​ in bacterial and fungal taxonomy[12]​ and in infectivity.[13]​.

• - Calorimetry.

• - Isothermal titration calorimetry.

• - Thermal conductivity.

The result of a DSC experiment is a heat flux curve versus temperature or versus time. There are two different conventions when representing thermal effects: the exothermic reactions exhibited by the sample can be shown as positive or negative peaks depending on the type of technology or instrumentation used in carrying out the experiment. The effects on or under a DSC curve can be used to calculate enthalpies of transitions. This calculation is performed by integrating the peak corresponding to a given transition. Thus, the enthalpy of the transition can be expressed by the following equation:

where ΔH is the enthalpy of the transition, K is the calorimetric constant and A is the area under the curve. The calorimetric constant will vary from instrument to instrument, and can be determined by analyzing a well-characterized sample with known transition enthalpies.[2]​.

Morphological analysis of materials

Differential scanning calorimetry can be used to measure various characteristic properties of a sample. Using this technique it is possible to characterize processes such as melting and crystallization as well as glass transition temperatures (T). DSC can also be used to study oxidation, as well as other chemical reactions.[1][2][3]​.

Glass transitions occur when the temperature of an amorphous solid is increased. These transitions appear as a disturbance (or step) in the baseline of the recorded DSC signal. That is, because the sample experiences a change in heat capacity without a formal phase change taking place.[1][3]​.

As the temperature increases, an amorphous solid will become less viscous. At some point the molecules may gain enough freedom of movement to arrange themselves into a crystalline form. This is known as the crystallization temperature") (T). This transition from amorphous solid to crystalline solid is an exothermic process and gives rise to a peak in the DSC curve. As the temperature increases, the sample eventually reaches its melting temperature (T). The melting process is evidenced by an endothermic peak in the DSC curve. The ability to determine transition temperatures and enthalpies makes DSC curves a valuable tool for producing phase diagrams") for various systems chemicals.[1]​.

Likewise, it is currently used in the characterization of polymers; that is, in the determination of their glass transition temperatures, melting points, specific heat and other intrinsic properties.[4]​.

In recent years this technology has been involved in the study of metallic materials. The characterization of this type of materials with DSC is still not easy due to the scarcity of literature on the matter. However, it is known that it is possible to use DSC to find solidus and liquidus temperatures of a metal alloy, but the most promising applications are, for now, in the study of precipitation, Guiner Preston zones, phase transitions, dislocation movement "Dislocation (crystal defect)"), grain growth, etc.

Study of liquid crystals

DSC can also be used to study liquid crystals. While they can be defined as transitions between solids and liquids, they can also be considered as a third state, exhibiting properties of both phases. This anisotropic liquid is known as a liquid crystalline or mesomorphic state. Using DSC, it is possible to characterize the small energetic changes that accompany transitions from a solid to a liquid crystal and from a liquid crystal to an isotropic liquid.[2]​.

Stability of a sample

The use of differential scanning calorimetry to study the oxidation stability of samples generally requires an airtight sample chamber. Generally, such tests are done isothermally (at constant temperature) by changing the atmosphere of the sample. First, the sample is subjected to the desired test temperature under an inert atmosphere, usually nitrogen. Oxygen is then added to the system. Any oxidation that occurs is observed as a deviation from the baseline. Such analyzes can be used to determine the stability and optimal storage conditions of a compound.[1]​.

pharmaceutical industry

DSC is frequently used in the pharmaceutical and polymer industries. glass transition.[1]​[2][3]​ In the pharmaceutical industry it is necessary to have well-characterized drugs to define processing parameters and for clinical dosing purposes. For example, if it is necessary to administer a drug in amorphous form, it is desirable to process the drug at temperatures below that at which crystallization can occur.[2]​.

Food research

In food research,[10] DSC is used in conjunction with other thermal analytical techniques to determine water dynamics. Changes in water distribution can be correlated with changes in texture. Similar to what happens in materials science, the effect of curing on prepared products can also be analyzed.

The recording of DSC curves also finds application in the assessment of the purity of drugs and polymers. This is possible because the temperature range in which a mixture of compounds melts is dependent on their relative quantities. This effect is due to a phenomenon known as freezing point depression, which occurs when a foreign solute is added to a solution. (The lowering of the freezing point of water by adding antifreeze is what, by preventing the formation of ice, allows the car to operate in winter). Consequently, less pure compounds will exhibit a melting peak broadening that begins at lower temperatures than a pure compound.[2]​[3]​.

Study of biological processes

Differential scanning calorimetry has found applications in the establishment of metabolic pathways,[11]​ in bacterial and fungal taxonomy[12]​ and in infectivity.[13]​.

• - Calorimetry.

• - Isothermal titration calorimetry.

• - Thermal conductivity.