DSC 214 Polyma

The System Solution for Efficient Characterization of Polymers

The New All-Inclusive Product Package for DSC Measurements

Easy-to-use, robust, precise, optimized for everyday use – these are the features of the innovative DSC 214 Polyma. The unique design of this instrument encompasses everything needed for successful DSC investigations – regardless of whether the user is a beginner or an experienced professional. Above all, it is the two new software developments that are setting new standards: AutoEvaluation and Identify. These have the potential to revolutionize DSC analysis.

• New all-inclusive 360° product package for the characterization of polymers
• Easier sample preparation than ever before
• Automated measurement and evaluation

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The First Classic Heat-Flux DSC for Fast Cooling

Integrated in the DSC 214 Polyma is an oval furnace with a very low thermal mass (Arena^® furnace), which allows for heating and cooling rates of up to 500 K/min – values previously unachievable with heat-flux DSCs. Temperature profiles can now be realized which are far closer to real processing conditions.

Groundbreaking Sensor Technology

The novel, patent-pending Corona^®sensor is comprised of a core of nickel chromium and an outer ring of constantan. Both materials are diffusion-welded. This generates a defined, ring-shaped zone where the temperature under the crucible is recorded, resulting in a significantly higher reproducibility – especially in combination with the Concavus^® crucibles.

By combining a very low thermal mass furnace (Arena^®) with a robust, sensitive sensor (Corona^®) and optimized crucibles (Concavus^®), the DSC 214 Polyma achieves impressive performance data. 

Along with fast heating and cooling rates – which also allow for isothermal crystallization experiments – this is expressed particularly by the Indium Response Ratio, which is the achievable height-to-width-ratio of the melting peak of indium.

Ideal Combination of Furnace, Sensor and Crucible

A high value for the Indium Response Ratio describes a peak that is not only tall (high sensitivity), but also narrow. This allows for the detection of weak effects and, at the same time, for the reliable separation of peaks occurring in close succession.

The DSC 214 Polyma features a high Indium Response Ratio of over 100 mW/K – a value which is not only far greater than average, but actually one of the highest ever published for a DSC instrument.

More on the Functional Principle of a Heat-Flux DSC

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Key Technical Data

(subject to change)

• Temperature range: 
  -170°C to 600°C
• Gas controller: 
  Switches for 3 gases included
  MFC for 3 gases, option
• Technical Resolution: 
  0.1 μW
• Enthalpy precision: 
  ±0.1% for indium and ±0.05% to  ± 0.2% for most samples
• Specific heat determination: Optional
  Temperature modulation: Optional
• Gas atmospheres: 
  Inert, oxidizing, static and dynamic operation
• Cooling device options: 
  • Compressed air cooling (RT to 600°C)
  • IC40 (-40°C to 600°C)
  • IC70 (-70°C to 600°C)
  • LN₂ (-170°C to 600°C)
• Indium Response Ratio: 
  > 100 mW/K 
  (Related to indium as standard material under measurement conditions typically used for polymer investigation)
• Heating/Cooling rate: 
  0.001 K/min to 500 K/min
  (Maximum rates depend upon the temperature)

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Software

Proteus^® 7.0: Software That Frees Time for Other Tasks

A simplified user interface for setting up measurement programs (SmartMode), automatic curve evaluation at the push of a button (AutoEvaluation), and a program for identifying unknown polymer curves (Identify) are the software’s keys to freeing up time for other tasks. Even inexperienced users are able to obtain fast, safe and meaningful results.

DSC specialists can make use of ExpertMode at any time to access the full scope of Proteus^® software functionality. Results generated by means of AutoEvaluation can be manually post-processed and newly calculated so that the experienced user maintains full control of the evaluation process.

The Proteus^® software version 7 – especially tailored to the DSC 214 Polyma – runs on Windows XP, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. It is licensed with the instrument and can of course also be installed on other computer systems. 

AutoEvaluation

AutoEvaluation is a completely novel software development allowing for the evaluation – automatically or at the push of a button – of unknown curves for thermoplastic polymers, rubbers and resins. AutoEvaluation analyzes DSC curves by first recognizing any key effects such as glass transitions or melting peaks, and then properly interpreting side effects such as recrystallization effects in logical steps. For the first time, users now have access to expert applications knowledge in the form of an intelligent software algorithm.

Identify

Identify is a unique tool for automatic identification and interpretation of curves with only a single click. This part of the software is designed for material identification and quality assurance. The analyzed properties of the DSC curve for a given material being investigated are compared with the integrated database, allowing for the automatic identification of plastic types. Such a database comparison is unique in the area of DSC technology. The Identify database contains a NETZSCH library for typical polymers and can also be extended by adding the user’s own materials. User-specific quality criteria can additionally be applied in order to define categories. For the first time, individual batches can be objectively compared with one another – an ability which is particularly relevant in the fields of quality assurance and failure analysis.

SmartMode

With the launch of the DSC 214 Polyma, the new SmartMode software interface was born.It features a clear structure, uniform navigation and user friendliness. Even less-experienced users will quickly find their way thanks to its intuitive interface. Under the Wizards menu item, a set of common pre-defined measurement methods can be found; these only require a few inputs and then lead directly to measurement at the touch of a button. They can also be combined with each other. Predefined Methods include all of the materials on the NETZSCH “Thermal Properties of Polymers” poster with the corresponding methods to immediately start a measurement experiment. The User Methods menu item allows users to save methods which they have already carried out so that those measurement parameters are available as a template for subsequent measurements and do not have to be newly defined.

AutoCalibration

Calibration of the DSC instrument is a prerequisite for correct DSC measurements. It ensures that the instrument always measures within pre-defined parameters. The calibration process itself, however, should be simple, fast and – ideally – carried out right along with the process. The solution for this is AutoCalibration. This special software feature begins by offering pre-defined calibration methods for common standards, and then not only starts the calibration measurements but also – fully automatically – analyzes melting peaks, calculates calibration curves and even checks their validity. AutoCalibration thereby simplifies a routine task which can otherwise be very time-consuming.

You can use the following software with this product:

Proteus^® Software, Advanced Software

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Accessories

3in1 Box

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The DSC 214 Polyma can be equipped with various accessories and extensions for optimum adjustment of the system to your requirements. 

Various cooling systems can be applied to cool the furnace, either back to room temperature via compressed air or down to -170°C by using liquid nitrogen cooling. The cost-efficient intracoolers offer an alternative to liquid nitrogen cooling and make it possible to run measurements between -40 to 600°C (IC40) or -70°C to 600°C (IC70).

For investigation of the oxidative stability (e.g., oxidative-induction time, OIT), a software-controlled MFC gas flow control system for three gases is recommended.

A wide range of crucibles/pans (aluminum, copper, silver, platinum, stainless steel for pressure applications, etc.) is available for nearly all possible applications and materials. For all cold-weldable aluminum pans and the medium-pressure stainless steel crucibles, exchangeable toolkits for the sealing press are existing. 

The 3in1 Box comes exclusively with the Concavus^® pan by NETZSCH. It offers comprehensive protection during transport and storage, allows for easy withdrawal and features a unique archiving system for the pans following measurement.

Routine applications are facilitated conveniently with an automatic sample changer (ASC) for up to 20 samples and reference materials, also for different crucible/pan types.

Crucibles

Downloads

Application literature

Application literature

Application Sheet: Confirmation of a PE/PA Blend by Means of *Identify

Application literature

Application Sheet: Investigation of a PP-CNT Compound by Means of *Identify

Application literature

Application Sheet: Investigation of an Unknown Rubber Sample by Means of *Identify

Application literature

Application Sheet: PET Recognized by Means of *Identify

Show more

White Paper

White Paper

*Identify: How this New DSC Curve Recognition System Simplifies Polymer Characterization

White Paper

The NETZSCH 360° View - A Streamlined, User-Friendly Approach to the Thermal Analysis of Polymers by DSC

White Paper

Identify for DSC, TGA, DIL, TMA and cP Data

White Paper

Powerful Database Allows for Polymer Identification by Means of DSC with a Single Click

Accessories Catalogue

Accessories Catalogue

Accessories for Differential Scanning Calorimeters and Thermobalances

Crucibles, Sensors, Sample Carriers, Calibration Kits for DSC, TGA and STA Systems

Brochure

Brochure

Thermal Characterization of Polymers

Application brochure: Thermoplastics, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Elastomers and Thermosets, 36 pages

Brochure

DSC 214 Polyma

Product brochure: Differential Scanning Calorimetry; Methods, Technique, Applications, 24 pages

Poster

Poster

Thermal Properties of the Elements

Our poster “Thermal Properties of the Elements” shows the following values at a glance: melting point, boiling point, specific heat, heat of fusion, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity and density.

Poster

Thermal Properties of Polymers

Our poster “Thermal Properties of Polymers” offers the following characteristic values at a glance: Glass transition temperature, heat of fusion and melting temperature, decomposition temperature, E modulus, coefficient of thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity and density.

Scientific publication

Scientific publication

Database-supported thermal analysis involving automatic evaluation, identification and classification of measurement curves

Scientific publication

Cure checking simplified: Advanced Differential Scanning Calorimetry as a tool for powder coating quality control

Webcast

NETZSCH Webinar-Quality improvements in plastic parts through powerful thermo-analytical methods

NETZSCHWebinar-Characterization of Food

NETZSCH Webinar Composites 2015 EN

DSC Analysis of Polymers for Experienced Users

NETZSCH Webinar Understand the Properties of Polymer Compounds by Thermal Analysis

NETZSCH Webinar Fast and Precise Results for Polymer Characterization

Webinar Efficient Polymer Characterization

NETZSCH Webinar Filled Adhesives

NETZSCH Webinar Adept Adhesion

NETZSCH-WebinarKey Thermal Analysis Techniques for Battery Material Development and Testing

NETZSCH-Webinar DSC Analysis of Polymers Basics Applications

NETZSCH-WebinarThermal Analysis Methods Perfect for the Characterization of Wood-Plastic Composites

NETZSCH-Webinar Thermal Analysis Goes Green Applications in the Field of Renewable Energies

NETZSCH-Webinar Zlepov

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