Heat capacity analysis

Heat capacity analysis measures the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a material by one degree Celsius . This fundamental thermal parameter provides information on the energy behavior of a substance, its internal structure and its physical transitions (melting, vitrification, crystallization, etc.).
Heat capacity is directly linked to the chemical composition , morphology and purity of the material. Its analysis is therefore essential for understanding the thermal properties and performance of products used in fields as varied as polymer materials , food processing , cosmetics , animal nutrition or nutraceutical formulation .

Analytical method: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

The heat capacity analysis is carried out by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) , a reference technique allowing the precise measurement of heat exchanges associated with temperature changes.
The principle is based on the comparison between a sample and a reference subjected to the same heating program. The recorded energy variations reflect the thermal transformations of the material:

• Heat absorption (endothermy): fusion, desorption, denaturation.
• Heat release (exothermy): crystallization, crosslinking, chemical reactions.

DSC analysis allows us to precisely determine:

• The specific heat capacity (Cp) .
• The glass transition (Tg) and melting (Tm) temperatures.
• The enthalpies of reaction or transition.
• Thermal stability and purity of samples.

To learn more about this subject, also discover the DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) analysis .

Matrices and application areas

The measurement of heat capacity applies to a wide variety of matrices:

• Materials and polymers : evaluation of the thermal properties of plastics, composites, resins, films or elastomers.
• Food and nutraceutical products : determination of thermal stability, phase transitions and energetic behavior of powders, fats, proteins or starches.
• Cosmetic products : characterization of fusion, crystallization or stability of lipid emulsions and formulations.
• Biomaterials and packaging : study of conductivity and thermal resistance.
• Powders and plants : observation of thermal reactions in natural extracts or dry formulations.

These measures help optimize manufacturing, formulation and storage processes, ensuring the stability and performance of finished products.

Industrial and scientific applications

DSC heat capacity analysis is a strategic tool in several areas:

• Quality control : verification of thermal consistency of batches and detection of anomalies linked to production.
• Development of new materials : characterization of energy and thermal performance.
• R&D in formulation : optimization of texture, stability and compatibility between components.
• Environmental and energy studies : analysis of the thermal behavior of recyclable or biodegradable materials.

In the polymer sector, this method is often coupled with thermogravimetry (TGA) to assess mass loss due to thermal degradation and determine the correlation between stability and heat capacity.

Analytical benefits

Heat capacity analysis has many advantages for manufacturers:

• High precision in detecting thermal transitions.
• Low sample quantity required.
• Fast, reliable and reproducible method.
• Compatibility with solid, liquid or powder samples.

It constitutes a powerful predictive tool for anticipating the thermal behavior of products subject to temperature variations during storage, transport or use.

YesWeLab expertise

YesWeLab provides a network of highly qualified partner laboratories , specialized in thermal and physicochemical analyses, most of which are ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited .
Our teams support you in:

• The choice of the appropriate analytical method (linear, cyclic, isothermal heating).
• Interpretation of DSC curves and comparison of results between formulations.
• Integrating data into your quality control or product development .

Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting manufacturers in the food, materials, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries in controlling their thermal analyses thanks to its digital platform for simplified analysis management (quote requests, sample tracking, receipt of reports).

To complete your thermal tests, also discover:

• analysis (dynamic mechanical analysis) for the study of viscoelastic properties.
• The flammability test to assess the combustion resistance of materials.

For any specific request, contact our scientific team to benefit from complete support for your heat capacity and thermal properties analyses.