Differential Scanning Calorimetry System for Characterization of Polymeric Materials

聚合物和聚合物复合材料是重要的工程材料，应用范围从低成本包装到高性能轻质结构。由于聚合物及其复合材料的性质取决于几个因素，包括化学成分、分子量、交联程度、纯度、填充材料、结晶程度和加工历史，因此需要可靠的表征方法来确保为这些材料开发合适的工艺和确定合适的操作条件。***差示扫描量热法（DSC）是一种重要的热分析工具，用于测量聚合物材料的热性能。通过测量进出材料的热通量，可以检测诸如熔化、玻璃化转变和结晶等微妙的相变，并确定材料的热容量。DSC也用于测定聚合物材料的纯度、结晶度和固化程度。***卡尔加里大学需要DSC系统来加速与聚合物和聚合物复合材料的加工和表征有关的研究活动。两个研究小组的研究项目对所需设备的需求特别高，这两个小组分别在结构纤维增强聚合物复合材料和功能聚合物基纳米复合材料领域做出了贡献。两个研究小组都需要DSC系统来研究聚合物材料的结构和热变化，例如，由于添加填料或使用的加工方法的变化。该设备将提供可靠的材料热特性，这将指导聚合物工艺的设计，并允许调查材料在加工前后的状态。DSC对于获得实验测量的材料特性也至关重要，这些特性可以用于过程模型以提高其准确性。***拟议的设备将取代老旧的DSC系统，该系统最近因广泛磨损而退役

Polymers and polymer composites are important engineering materials with applications ranging from low-cost packaging to high performance lightweight structures. Because the properties of polymers and their composites vary drastically depending on several factors, including chemical composition, molecular weight, degree of cross-linking, purity, filler material, degree of crystallization, and processing history, reliable characterization methods are required to ensure suitable processes are developed and appropriate operating conditions are identified for these materials. *** Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is one important thermoanalytical tool for measuring the thermal properties of polymeric materials, among others. By measuring the heat flux in and out of a material, subtle phase transitions such as melting, glass transition, and crystallization can be detected and the heat capacity of the material determined. DSC is also used to determine the purity, crystallinity, and degree of cure in polymeric materials.*** A DSC system is needed at the University of Calgary to accelerate research activities related to the processing and characterization of polymers and polymer composites. Demand for the requested equipment is particularly high for the research programs of two groups which are known for their respective contributions to the fields of structural fibre-reinforced polymer composites and functional polymer-based nanocomposites. Both research groups require a DSC system to investigate the structural and thermal changes in polymeric materials due to, for example, the addition of fillers or changes in the processing methods used. The equipment will provide reliable thermal characterization of materials which will guide the design of polymer processes and allow investigations into the state of a material before and after processing. The DSC will also be essential for obtaining experimentally measured material properties that can be used in process models to increase their accuracy. *** The proposed equipment will replace an aged DSC system which has recently been decommissioned due to extensive wear.**