{"id":124235,"date":"2026-03-04T11:41:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T10:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/unkategorisiert\/differential-thermal-analysis-dta-for-the-early-detection-of-incompatibilities-in-polymer-blends\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:52:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T10:52:06","slug":"differential-thermal-analysis-dta-for-the-early-detection-of-incompatibilities-in-polymer-blends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/differential-thermal-analysis-dta-for-the-early-detection-of-incompatibilities-in-polymer-blends\/","title":{"rendered":"Differential thermal analysis (DTA) for the early detection of incompatibilities in polymer blends"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"124235\" class=\"elementor elementor-124235 elementor-124225\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b75441f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b75441f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35d541b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"35d541b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97683da elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"97683da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this 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of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__97683da\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__97683da\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d69a620 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d69a620\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f563fb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f563fb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The development of modern polymer blends focuses on the targeted combination of different polymers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/applications\/polymers\/\"><strong>polymers<\/strong><\/a> in order to flexibly adapt material properties to application requirements. Incompatibilities or phase separation within these blends represent one of the most common challenges, as they have a significant influence on the mechanical and thermal properties of the end product. Early identification of such incompatibilities is therefore crucial in order to ensure the quality, service life and performance of high-performance plastics.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89c0869 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"89c0869\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70a90bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70a90bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The importance of phase separation in polymer blends<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36f5a88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"36f5a88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-035f339 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"035f339\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Phase separation refers to the separation of a polymer blend into two or more coexisting phases with different chemical or physical properties (Binder, 1987). This separation often results in degraded mechanical properties, such as reduced impact strength and toughness of the blend, and can be a critical failure mechanism, particularly in engineering applications. The effects range from visible surface defects to complete material failure under service conditions.  <\/p><p>The compatibility of two polymers determines their miscibility: compatible blends show a homogeneous phase with uniform properties; incompatible systems, on the other hand, tend to segregate and form separate domains. This phase separation can occur at both macroscopic and nanoscopic levels, with the latter often only becoming apparent through specialized analytical methods. <\/p><p>The thermodynamic miscibility is described by the Gibbs mixing energy:<br>$$<br>\\Delta G_{\\mathrm{mix}} = \\Delta H_{\\mathrm{mix}} &#8211; T\\,\\Delta S_{\\mathrm{mix}}<br>$$<br>For a spontaneous mixture, \u0394G_mix must be negative. In polymer mixtures, the entropy term (T\u0394S_mix) is usually low due to the long chain molecules, so that the enthalpy of the mixture (\u0394H_mix) is the decisive factor. The Flory-Huggins interaction parameter \u03c7 quantifies these interactions and enables predictions to be made about phase stability. Values of \u03c7 &lt; 0.5 indicate compatibility, while higher values favor phase separation.   <\/p><p>The critical temperature below which phase separation occurs can be determined experimentally and is essential for the definition of processing temperatures and application areas. Energy levels of the phases provide a relevant theoretical framework for estimating miscibility and have become established for the description and modeling of phase separation in practice. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac9afd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ac9afd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b982d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b982d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DSC\/DTA as a methodological key for laboratory practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4a32ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a4a32ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5df331d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5df331d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When screening polymer blends for compatibility, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/instruments\/differential-thermal-analyzer-dta\/\"><strong>differential thermal analysis (DTA)<\/strong><\/a> is a versatile, material-friendly method. DTA measures temperature differences between the sample and reference under controlled temperature conditions and is therefore ideal for detecting thermal events such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/glass-transition-temperature\/\"><strong>glass transitions<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/crystallization-and-recrystallization-of-polymers\/\"><strong>crystallization<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/phase-transition-of-a-substance-melting\/\"><strong>melting processes<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p><p>The DTA uses a measurable temperature difference (\u0394T = T_probe &#8211; T_reference) that occurs in the material during thermal treatment as a result of endothermic or exothermic processes. The practical implementation requires precise control of the experimental parameters: Typical heating rates are between 5 and 20 K\/min, the sample amount between 5-20 mg, which makes DTA a material-friendly analysis method. An inert gas atmosphere prevents oxidative degradation of the polymer samples.  <\/p><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/instruments\/differential-scanning-calorimeter-dsc\/\"><strong>differential scanning calorimetry<\/strong><\/a> (DSC, <em>Differential Scanning Calorimetry<\/em>) is a further development of DTA and is the most widely used thermal analysis method in polymer analysis today. While DTA only measures temperature differences between the sample and the reference, DSC also measures the associated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/properties\/heat-flow-rate\/\"><strong>heat flow<\/strong><\/a> (in mW or mJ\/s) &#8211; it therefore provides not only qualitative but also quantitative information about thermal events. Depending on the design, a distinction is made between heat-flux DSC and power-compensation DSC: In heat-flux DSC, the sample and reference are heated in a common oven chamber and the temperature difference is converted into a heat flux via a calibrated thermal resistance; in power-compensation DSC, on the other hand, both are kept at the same temperature in separate micro-ovens, so that the power difference supplied directly represents the heat flux. The typical measurement parameters largely correspond to those of the DTA: heating rates of 5-20 K\/min and sample quantities of 5-20 mg are common, whereby the DSC also reliably detects weaker thermal events &#8211; such as weakly pronounced glass transitions in polymer mixtures &#8211; due to its higher heat flow resolution.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-636a704 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"636a704\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3122b84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3122b84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Early detection of phase separation by DTA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bead9d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bead9d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7813c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e7813c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Differential thermal analysis is particularly valuable for the early detection of phase separation in polymer blends, as it reliably detects thermal transitions and characteristic events in the material (Balhara et al., 2021). In the context of polymer blends, DTA provides specific indications of incompatibility and incipient phase separation even before macroscopic defects occur. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b097936 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b097936\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95aac46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"95aac46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Characteristic indicators of incompatibility<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dd2e47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6dd2e47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a18f69c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a18f69c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Identification of multiple glass transitions (T_g):<\/b> In compatible polymer blends, the DTA thermogram typically shows a single, intermediate glass transition. However, if two or more separate T_g peaks appear, this indicates the existence of multiple, individually separated phases. The Gordon-Taylor equation enables the theoretical calculation of the intermediate glass transition:<br>$$<br>T_{g,\\text{blend}} = \\frac{w_1 T_{g1} + k w_2 T_{g2}}{w_1 + k w_2}<br>$$<br>Deviations from this relationship indicate incompatibility.  <\/p><p><b>Analysis<\/b> <b>of peak shapes and widths:<\/b> A broadening or asymmetry of transition signals often indicates overlapping, not completely separated phases or incipient segregation processes. The half-width of glass transition peaks correlates with the homogeneity of the mixture &#8211; narrower peaks indicate more homogeneous systems. <\/p><p><b>Separate melting and crystallization temperatures:<\/b> If several melting or crystallization peaks are visible, this results from the coexistence of different crystalline phases. The occurrence of separate peaks indicates the thermal independence of the individual phases. The crystallinity can be quantified by integrating the melting peaks.  <\/p><p><b>Shift of the transition temperature:<\/b> If the measured transition temperatures shift compared to those of the pure polymers, this may indicate an interaction effect or the co-presence of incompatible components.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6b66bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a6b66bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1443f70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1443f70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Application examples from practice<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac47d19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ac47d19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a2ebce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7a2ebce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Technical thermoplastics:<\/b> For PC\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-abs-an-in-depth-look\/\" data-auto-event-observed=\"true\"><strong>ABS blends<\/strong><\/a> (polycarbonate\/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), DTA clearly shows the two characteristic glass transitions at around 110\u00b0C (ABS) and 150\u00b0C (PC) for incompatible blends. The addition of compatibilizers causes these to merge into a broad, intermediate peak. <\/p><p><strong>Biocompatible systems<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/polylactide-pla-from-bioplastic-to-high-tech-material-with-a-sustainable-future\/\" data-auto-event-observed=\"true\"><strong>PLA<\/strong><\/a>\/PCL blends (polylactide\/polycaprolactone) for medical applications show characteristic crystallization and melting behaviour. DTA analysis enables the optimization of degradation kinetics for special biomedical applications. <\/p><p><b>High-performance plastics<\/b>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wiki\/peek-polyetheretherketone-the-versatile-high-performance-plastic-for-extreme-requirements\/\" data-auto-event-observed=\"true\"><strong>PEEK<\/strong><\/a>\/PEI blends (polyetheretherketone\/polyetherimide) for aerospace applications require precise thermal characterization. DTA identifies optimal mixing ratios for maximum temperature stability. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dcd72b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1dcd72b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38bed61 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"38bed61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-1024x697.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-25380\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-1024x697.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-300x204.png 300w, https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-768x523.png 768w, https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-1536x1045.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Chip-DSC-Polymer-Sample-2048x1393.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6035da elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d6035da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc80029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc80029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"463\">Thermal analysis is ideally suited to the investigation of polymers and polymer blends. In this measurement, two ABS samples were <strong data-start=\"228\" data-end=\"263\">analyzed<\/strong> using <strong data-start=\"228\" data-end=\"263\">differential thermal analysis (DTA)<\/strong> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/instruments\/differential-thermal-analyzer-dta\/hdsc-l62\/\"><strong data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"284\">HDSC L62<\/strong><\/a> was used. During a controlled temperature program, the temperature difference between the sample and the reference is recorded, making thermal transitions visible.  <\/p><p data-start=\"465\" data-end=\"703\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Both samples show the typical <strong data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"543\">glass transition of ABS at around 105-106 \u00b0C.<\/strong> The almost identical transition temperatures of the two curves indicate a comparable material composition and quality of the tested samples. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7225d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c7225d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c36fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c36fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Practical advantages and metrological aspects<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5093464 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5093464\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b2fdfa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b2fdfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The simple sample preparation, low material consumption and comparatively fast measurement make DTA a labor-saving method in polymer development. The quality of DTA measurements depends crucially on correct calibration &#8211; standard substances such as indium (melting point 156.6\u00b0C) are used for temperature calibration. <\/p><p><b>Early detection:<\/b> The method provides clarity about incompatible mixtures at an early stage of development, thus avoiding misguided developments and cost-intensive iterations.<\/p><p><b>Material-friendly method:<\/b> The analysis requires only small sample quantities (5-20 mg) and thus enables resource-saving characterization, even if the sample itself is altered in the course of thermal treatment.<\/p><p><b>Quality control:<\/b> DTA shows phase separation or homogeneity even before they can be detected by the naked eye or mechanical testing.<\/p><p><b>Economic relevance:<\/b> The early identification of incompatible formulations avoids costly pilot plant trials and can significantly reduce the development time for new developments.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-760196a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"760196a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc7c1b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dc7c1b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Comparison with other characterization methods<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab69d4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ab69d4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-339f86a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"339f86a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Leading studies confirm the fundamental role of thermal analysis methods for the characterization of polymer blends. In scientific discourse, the occurrence of multiple glass transitions is considered an unmistakable sign of phase separation (Ivancic et al., 2024). Modern simulations use DTA data to validate theoretical predictions of the \u03c7-parameter model.  <\/p><p>Current trends are dedicated to more complex systems such as ternary blends and bio-based plastics. The latest research approaches combine DTA data with machine learning for automated classification of compatibility and prediction of optimal blend compositions. <\/p><p>The integration of DTA with other analysis methods is developing into hyphenated techniques: TGA-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/instruments\/additional-devices-support\/l40-ega-gcms\/\"><strong>MS<\/strong><\/a> for simultaneous identification of degradation products or DTA-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/instruments\/additional-devices-support\/l40-ega-ftir\/\"><strong>FTIR<\/strong><\/a> for the characterization of chemical changes during thermal transitions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-192df38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"192df38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8790b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e8790b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Standards and standardization<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b81415 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3b81415\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6b329 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d6b329\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The standardization of DTA measurements follows internationally recognized standards: <a href=\"https:\/\/store.astm.org\/d3418-21.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ASTM D3418<\/strong><\/a> defines standard procedures for glass transition determinations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dinmedia.de\/de\/norm\/din-en-iso-11357-1\/366263770\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ISO 11357<\/strong><\/a> describes DSC\/DTA measurements on polymers in several parts &#8211; including glass transitions &#8211; and each has a counterpart in the ASTM series of standards. These standards ensure the comparability of measurement results between different laboratories and are mandatory for regulated industries. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49c8dc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"49c8dc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c840148 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c840148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac61c29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ac61c29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e72046 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e72046\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Differential thermal analysis is an indispensable tool for the development of sustainable polymer blends. It allows phase separation and incompatibilities to be detected at an early stage, which is crucial for process and product optimization. As a robust method, DTA provides reliable thermal data that contributes to the targeted control of material development.  <\/p><p>The thermally measurable signatures provide laboratory users and developers with quick indications of the microstructure and miscibility in the polymer blend. With the integration of artificial intelligence and miniaturization for fast laboratory measurements, DTA also promises to play a key role in polymer analysis in the future. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-012f6e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"012f6e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d311197 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d311197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bibliography<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc5a2c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bc5a2c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ec0ae5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ec0ae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li>Saxena et al. &#8220;Thermal analysis of polymer blends and double layer by DSC&#8221;, <em>High Performance Polymers<\/em>, 2021. <\/li><li>Binder, K. &#8220;Dynamics of phase separation and critical phenomena in polymer mixtures&#8221;, <em>Colloid and Polymer Science<\/em>, 1987. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF01417926 <\/li><li>Kalogeras, I. M. &#8220;Glass-Transition Phenomena in Polymer Blends&#8221;, in: <em>Encyclopedia of Polymer Blends<\/em>, ed. A. I. Isayev, Wiley-VCH, 2016. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/9783527653966.ch1  <\/li><li>Ivancic, R.J.S. et al. &#8220;Predicting compatibilized polymer blend toughness&#8221;, <em>Science Advances<\/em>, 2024. DOI: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1126\/sciadv.adk6165  <\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cec7d2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cec7d2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the development of modern polymer blends, the focus is on the targeted combination of different polymers in order to flexibly adapt material properties to application requirements. Incompatibilities or phase separation within these blends are one of the most common challenges, as they have a significant influence on the mechanical and thermal properties of the end product.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":124233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wiki"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=124235"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/124235\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=124235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=124235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.linseis.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=124235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}