ABSTRACT
Although differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is used in many different industries, its application and use in the plastics industry is widely accepted. It is used to characterize materials for melting points, softening points, and other material and material-reaction characteristics such as specific heat, percent crystallinity, and reaction kinetics. This chapter addresses the practical uses of DSC in the plastics industry, focusing on the most common tests and experiments. Advanced analysis will be mentioned briefly, but not reviewed in detail. For the best results and the most reproducible data, consider all of the suggestions about operational variables discussed, and you will experience successful and reliable thermal analysis.
