Collecting Data with a Differential Scanning Calorimeter
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is the most known and widespread thermal analysis technique for the characterization oof polymers. During DSC analysis, a sample and a reference are subjected to a controlled heating profile, thus enabling to determine changes endothermal and exothermal effects of the sample. As a result reversible and non-reversible phase transitions of a polymer sample can be detected. These are:- the glass-transition temperature,
- the melting and crystallization of semi-crystalline thermoplastics and
- the curing of cross-linking polymers.


Performing Kinetic Studies and Predicting the Material Behavior
In order to be able to predict the material behavior for different process scenarios, the measured DSC data at the four different heating ramps have been uploaded to the NETZSCH Kinetics Neo software. The conversion fit below shows a model-free approach to the measurement data using a very easy-to-use klick solution.
Dramatic Reduction in Cycle Time
The case shown here, combining the widely used Differential Scanning Calorimetry and the powerful Kinetics Neo software, demonstrates impressively how production cycles can be optimizes. Compared to trial and error manufacturing, material characterization and simulation is much more efficient and can bring the composite industry big cost savings in terms of material and time. The autoclave manufacturing cycle of the CFRP bike rim of Blacks Srl could be reduced by 46 % compared to the conventional curing cycle of the material data sheet meeting the requirements of the degree of cure and avoiding overheating at the same time.Cycle | Thermal Cycle | Durata totale ciclo termico (min) | ΔH (J/g) | Degree of cure (%) |
Prepreg | total cure | – | -223.9 | 100 |
conventional | RT-70°C HR=2.3°C/min 70-130°C HR=1.3°C/min Isothermal at 130°C x 270min Cooling | 480 | -9.25 | 95.9 |
new | RT-110°C HR=3°C/min Isothermal at 110 x 10min 110-130°C HR=3°C/min Isothermal at 130°C x 60min Cooling | 260 | -8.63 | 96.1 |

Alexander has more than 6 years of experience in various production processes and the characterization of polymer materials and composites. He worked at the Application Center for Materials and Environmental Research (AMU) at the University of Augsburg and the Department of Functional Lightweight Construction at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT before being recruited by NETZSCH Analyzing&Testing. At NETZSCH Analyzing&Testing he was one of the drivers behind the founding of the Business Field Process Analytics and became its Manager. Process Analytics focuses on real-time sensors and model-based algorithms for intelligent manufacturing of polymers and composites, automated and robust production to contribute to the factory of the future.
Interesting to see such kinetic studies in composites curing particularly showing that thermal analysis measurement data for different heating ramps are inevitable, but why should they be factored in? Is it mostly for the strength or finish of the end products that motivates the precision analyses? Great rim btw!
Dear Mr. Sencu,
the necessity of dynamic ramps is based on the fact that we want to get the entire cure information of the resin. Historically, kinetic studies have been performed on isothermal measurement data. The difficulty with isothermal measured data is the information loss during the heating ramp until we reach the desired temperature and in addition that the curing “freezes” when the glass-transition temperature of the material has overtaken our measurement temperature. Kinetic studies and algorithms habe improved throughout the last decades so dynamic ramps are a great and powerful tool to get the entire cure information. Nevertheless, a cross-check between the kinetic simulation based on dynamic ramps and a performed isothermal measurement will not hurt and provides additional security that the model is sufficient.
Best regards,
Alex