Differential Scanning Calorimetry

 A Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a thermoanalytical technique in which difference in the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a sample and reference is measured as a function of temperature. The DSC takes from 30 minutes to 90 minutes to complete one full measurements.The special thing about this instrument is that it is a reversible process. Below is a picture of this instrument.

Below is the 3D Printer where we took filament samples from. After using the DSC we are capable of knowing when the filament undergoes a phase change. We then can program the 3D Printer to know when this phase chance occurs, and account for it when printing.

Below are some images of processes and tools needed to prep a sample to be tested in the DSC.

Below is a picture of our research group with Dr. Kolonko working with the DSC.

After being trained on the DSC our group was able to operate the DSC on our own. Below is a picture of our research group analyzing our first sample.

Below is a picture of Tristen Protzmann prepping our 3D Printer Filament to be analyzed in the DSC. The sample must be really small and has to fit in a pan to go into the DSC. After cutting it and measuring it, the sample was approximately 4.6mg.

We used the scale below to measure the weight of this sample.We use this scale only for when we are operating the DSC. It is very sensitive and precise with its measurements. 

Below is a picture of the DSC Pan Press. We use it to forcibly attach the pan lid to the pan with our sample inside the pan. Once the lid is on tight we can put it into the DSC and analyze the sample. 

Below is a picture of how we organized our samples for the DSC. We put each sample into a pill holder and labeled each slot. We then recorded it on the paper corresponding to its slot.

Below are the tools needed to press the pan lids onto the pan. As you can see there are various sizes to use when preforming this task. We mainly used the biggest black attachment located at the bottom of the third column (going from left to right).

Below is a picture of the pans we used, as well as, the pan lids. They are Tzero Pans. They weigh about 50mg each.

Below are the types of 3D Printer Filaments that we researched using the DSC. We took samples of filaments around the campus to expand our limits. We took samples from the SAInT Center, Dr. McColgan's Office, Roger Bacon 121, and the Stack Center. We found that all these filaments are PLA and would not release any toxic material when analyzing. 

Below are all our data collections from our research on the Blue 3D Printer Filament:

Below is the data collections from testing the Blue Polystyrene 3D Printer Filament. We set the Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) to the Cool, Heat Cool setting. This means that the DSC cools the sample first. It then proceeds to heat up the sample to locate the phase change where the solid state of the filament transforms into the gooey liquid state that we need. The DSC helps us to locate and analyze when and where this phase change occurs. Once we know this we can program the 3D Printer to account for it. By knowing the specific temperature needed to melt the filament, we can set the tray of the 3D Printer to know when and how to heat up the filament to make it gooey enough to mold the object, as well as, when to cool it so the operator can take the object off once it is done printing. In the first picture we can see the linear relationships of how the sample is changing in the DSC as time progresses. In the second picture we have zoomed into the spot in the data where the actual phase change occurs. We can see the phase change occurs between 103°C and 108°C. This was a successful data collection.

Below is our second data collection. This time we used Purple ABS 3D Printer Filament. We did the same Cool, Heat, Cool setting for this sample. The same procedure was done for this sample. Below we can see the phase change occurs between 106°C and 109°C. This sample data collection was also very successful.