Thermal analysis can support material identification and comparison, packaging development, specification checks and investigation of material or performance issues.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measures changes in heat flow as a material is heated or cooled under controlled conditions. It can be used to determine important polymer characteristics including:
- Melting behaviour and melting point
- Glass transition temperature
- Crystallinity
- Material transitions and differences between polymer samples
Where required, a second thermal cycle can be used to remove the effects of the sample's previous thermal history and provide clearer information for material characterisation.
Smithers provides DSC analysis across a temperature range of -70°C to +600°C. DSC is also one of the analytical techniques we use to characterise multilayer plastic film structures.
Testing is available in accordance with applicable methods in BS EN ISO 11357.
Oxidative induction time (OIT)
Oxidative induction time testing provides information about the oxidative stability of polymer materials and the effectiveness of antioxidant systems.
The sample is heated to a specified temperature under an inert nitrogen atmosphere before being exposed to oxygen or air. The time between exposure to oxygen and the onset of oxidation is measured as the OIT.
OIT can be used to compare the ageing resistance of plastics and evaluate materials intended for elevated-temperature or oxygen-exposed applications, including polyolefin tubes and vapour-barrier films.
Applicable standards include ISO 11357-6 and ASTM D3895.
Talk to our experts about your plastic material, thermal properties or analytical requirements.
