Melting point

Melting point analysis determines the solid-liquid transition temperature of a pure product or mixture. This fundamental thermodynamic parameter provides information on the purity, stability, and composition of a substance.
Melting point is a quality indicator used in many industrial sectors— food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, polymers, nutraceuticals —to control raw materials and validate processing methods.

A deviation between the measured melting point and the theoretical value may indicate an impurity, thermal degradation or a crystalline change in the product.

Principle and method of analysis

Melting point measurement is generally carried out using two complementary approaches:

• Capillary method : the sample is placed in a capillary tube that is gradually heated until it melts completely. This simple method is suitable for pure and crystalline products (fatty acids, waxes, butters, excipients, active ingredients).
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) : This high-precision technique measures the variation in heat flow between the sample and an inert reference during the temperature rise. It allows the melting point, the enthalpy of fusion and the thermal transition range .

DSC is particularly suitable for polymers , oils , complex blends and formulated products , where the transition can be influenced by composition, additives or moisture content.

For further studies, also discover:

• differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the analysis of thermal transitions,
• analysis (TGA) to monitor mass loss upon heating,
• and smoke point measurement to assess the thermal stability of fatty substances.

Industrial applications

Melting point analysis is used in many fields:

• Food industry and nutrition : quality control of fatty substances (butters, oils, margarines), monitoring of crystallization and detection of adulterations.
• Cosmetics : formulation of balms, lipsticks, creams or waxes, the texture and stability of which depend on the thermal behavior of the ingredients.
• Nutraceuticals and animal health : verification of the stability of plant extracts or active ingredients sensitive to heat.
• Materials and polymers : evaluation of the purity and crystallinity of thermoplastic resins, films and composites.
• Plants and natural extracts : characterization of lipid or waxy fractions.

This analysis helps ensure regulatory compliance, reproducibility and performance of finished products.

Analytical interest and complementarity

The melting point is often combined with other thermal and physicochemical measurements for a complete characterization:

• Enthalpy of fusion to quantify the energy required for the phase transition;
• Crystallization point to study solidification and formulation stability;
• Melt Flow Index (MFI) to assess the viscosity of molten polymers;
• Accelerated aging tests to observe thermal variations over time;
• Refractive index of liquid to control purity and concentration.

All of these analyses make it possible to obtain a complete thermal signature of the product, useful for formulation, quality control or failure studies.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab relies on a network of ISO 17025 and/or COFRAC , specialized in thermal, physicochemical and materials analyses .
Our experts select the most relevant method according to your objectives: polymer characterization, oil quality control, or ingredient stability study.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your analysis requests, track your samples and retrieve your results online.
Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting cosmetics, food and materials manufacturers in their analytical needs, with precision and responsiveness.

For any specific requests or quotes, contact our scientific team today.