What Is DSC?
DSC analysis is an analysis method in which thermal events such as melting, crystallization, glass transition and reaction heat are determined by measuring the heat flow difference between the sample and the reference against the temperature.
Purpose of DSC
The goal is to verify the material identity and process history of the polymer by determining its glass transition and melting temperatures, degree of crystallinity, and cure state.
Which Products Is DSC Applied To?
- Thermoplastic and thermoset polymers
- Composite resins and prepregs
- Adhesives and coatings
- Pharmaceutical and food solids
In Which Sectors Is DSC Used?
Standards Related to DSC
- ISO 11357 serisi
- ASTM D3418
- ASTM E1356
- ASTM E793
DSC Conditions
- Temperature program
- Heating–cooling–second heating; speed defined in standard or specification (typical 10 °C/min)
- Atmosfer
- Inert (nitrogen) or oxidizing; should be stated
- sample mass
- Defined in the standard; typically a few milligrams
- Calibration
- Temperature and heat flow calibration with certified reference materials
Equipment for DSC
- Differential scanning calorimeter
- Sample encapsulation press and capsules
- Cooling unit (mechanical or liquid nitrogen)
- Certified calibration standards (e.g. indium)
Sample Requirements for DSC
- The sample must be representative and homogeneous
- The sample should be placed in good contact with the capsule.
- The process history is visible on the first heating; The second heating gives the material its property
- The mass must be weighed correctly
Duration of DSC
Typically 2–4 days.
DSC Procedure
- 1The device is calibrated with the reference substance.
- 2The sample is weighed and encapsulated.
- 3The temperature program is applied.
- 4The heat flow curve is recorded.
- 5Transition temperatures and enthalpies are evaluated.
- 6The results are interpreted.
DSC Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria are transition temperatures or cure degree limits defined in the specification.
Evaluation of Results
The first heating curve carries the processing and storage history of the material; Second heating is used for material property. The heating rate shifts the transition temperatures, so comparison cannot be made without reporting the rate.
DSC Report
- Standard applied
- Temperature program and atmosphere
- Sample mass and capsule type
- Calibration records
- Transition temperatures and enthalpy values
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Material product standards and cure specifications
Pages Where This Method Is Used
Otomotiv Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the DSC test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Automotive testing shows that a component keeps working under conditions representing the loads it will meet over the life of the vehicle. A vehicle is not a single product but an ENVIRONMENT: vibration, temperature cycling, salt water, stone impact, electrical transients and electromagnetic noise are all present at the same time and for years.
What distinguishes this family is that VEHICLE MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS sit on top of the standards. ISO and SAE publications establish the common ground; but Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, Stellantis, Toyota and Renault define different severity levels, additional tests and different acceptance criteria in their own specifications. For a component, the phrase "complies with automotive standards" is not sufficient on its own; which manufacturer's specification, and which revision of it, must be answered.
The family carries three separate processes together and they are often confused. Homologation covers the type approvals a vehicle needs to enter traffic and runs under state authority. Supplier approval means passing the vehicle manufacturer's own quality and testing requirements and is a commercial relationship. The third is design verification: the engineering team demonstrating that its own design meets its targets.
At component level the test plan is built around the LOCATION OF USE. A module in the engine bay and a module in the boot do not go through the same temperature and vibration profile; a component inside a door and one in the roof console do not see the same water and dust exposure. The ISO 16750 series is the common framework for this location-based approach.
The shift to electric vehicles has reshaped the field. High-voltage safety, insulation coordination, battery safety, charging interface conformity and the electromagnetic behaviour of high-voltage components have been added to the classical automotive test set. In a quiet vehicle, acoustic and vibration expectations have changed too; sounds once masked by the combustion engine are now audible.
The quality system side cannot be separated from testing in this field. A manufacturer under IATF 16949 presents test results in the PPAP file; measurement system analysis, process capability study and the control plan stand around the test report. A single good result is not enough — the process must be shown to be able to repeat it.
Method groups in this field
Environmental and climatic
Temperature cycling, thermal shock, damp heat, salt spray, dust and water ingress (IP), solar radiation. Severity levels vary with the mounting location.
Mechanical
Sine and random vibration, shock, mechanical loads, fastener torque and durability cycles.
Electrical
Supply voltage variations, transients (ISO 7637), reverse polarity, overvoltage, short circuit and sleep current measurements.
EMC
Component emissions (CISPR 25), radiated and conducted immunity (ISO 11452 series), electrostatic discharge (ISO 10605).
Materials and emissions
Odour, fogging and VOC emissions from interior materials; flammability; UV ageing; coating durability and stone impact.
Functional safety and cyber security
Functional safety evidence under ISO 26262 and cyber security engineering under ISO/SAE 21434; these are tied to regulation through UNECE R155 and R156.
Commonly confused in this field
- An automotive report without a specification reference is not accepted in the supply chain; which OEM specification and revision was applied must be stated.
- Type approval and supplier approval are different processes. A component with E-Mark approval is not thereby considered to have passed the OEM's own acceptance tests.
- A result obtained on a prototype does not carry over to series production; PPAP is done with series production parts.
- On the EMC side, measuring emissions alone is incomplete; immunity is a separate body of work and is more critical in a vehicle.
- On electric vehicle components, high-voltage safety is a distinct competence; classical 12 V test infrastructure is not sufficient.
Which decisions these results support
- Supplier component approval and the PPAP file
- UNECE type approval and E-Mark marking
- Design verification and durability evidence
- Root cause analysis of field complaints and warranty returns
- Assessing the impact of a design or supplier change
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About DSC
According to which standard is DSC made?
DSC is executed in scope ISO 11357 serisi, ASTM D3418, ASTM E1356 and ASTM E793. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does DSC apply to?
Mainly applied to Thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, Composite resins and prepregs, Adhesives and coatings and Pharmaceutical and food solids. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is DSC done?
The determining parameters are: Temperature program — Heating–cooling–second heating; speed defined in standard or specification (typical 10 °C/min), Atmosfer — Inert (nitrogen) or oxidizing; should be stated and sample mass — Defined in the standard; typically a few milligrams. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for DSC?
The sample must be representative and homogeneous, The sample should be placed in good contact with the capsule. and The process history is visible on the first heating; The second heating gives the material its property. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does DSC take?
Typically 2–4 days. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the DSC result called "appropriate"?
Acceptance criteria are transition temperatures or cure degree limits defined in the specification.