Specific heat determination by differential scanning calorimetry: improvements through automated sample handling
Erwin Kaisersberger
For the characterisation of thermophysical properties of materials, the determination of the specific heat capacity, cp, by differential scanning calorimetry is an important issue. It is shown that the automatic loading of sample crucibles can improve the reproducibility of baseline, calibration, and sample runs and therefore also the accuracy of cp results calculated according to the ratio method. This is especially true for crucibles where the contact area with the sensor is critical. Results are shown for glycerol, benzene, and water.