Significance and Use
Differential scanning calorimetry provides a rapid test method for determining changes in specific heat capacity in a homogeneous material or domain. The glass transition is manifested as a step change in specific heat capacity. For amorphous and semi-crystalline materials the determination of the glass transition temperature may lead to important information about their thermal history, processing conditions, stability of phases, and progress of chemical reactions.
This test method is useful for research, quality control, and specification acceptance.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the assignment of the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of materials using differential scanning calorimetry.
1.2 This test method is applicable to amorphous materials, including thermosets or semicrystaline materials containing amorphous regions, that are stable and do not undergo decomposition or sublimation in the glass transition region.
1.3 The normal operating temperature range is from –120 to 500°C. The temperature range may be extended, depending upon the instrumentation used.
1.4 Computer or electronic-based instruments, techniques, or data treatment equivalent to this test method may also be used.
Note 1—Users of this test method are expressly advised that all such instruments or techniques may not be equivalent. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to determine the necessary equivalency prior to use.
1.5 ISO 11357–2 is equivalent to this test method.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E473 Terminology Relating to Thermal Analysis and Rheology
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E967 Test Method for Temperature Calibration of Differential Scanning Calorimeters and Differential Thermal Analyzers
E1142 Terminology Relating to Thermophysical Properties
ISO Standard
ISO11357–2 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)-Part 2 Determination of Glass Transition Temperature
Keywords
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); differential thermal analysis (DTA); glass transition; specific heat capacity;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 83.080.10 (Thermosetting materials)
DOI: 10.1520/D7426-08
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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