Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique for measuring temperatures and enthalpies of transitions (like glass transitions, melting and crystallizing) and reactions (like curing). This technique can be used to identify and characterize materials. Its advantage is the small amount of sample needed and its sensitivity. We use a Mettler 823 DSC for the most common measurements.

Next to that we can superimpose a sinusoidal signal on top of the conventional linear heating or cooling profile in order to separate the reversing and nonreversing heat flow (TOPEM). This method is known as modulated DSC or mDSC. A practical example of the advantages of mDSC is that glass transitions can be determined more clearly. Moreover the absolute specific heat (Cp) and enthalpy curves can be generated as well.