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Selecting Pans for High-Temperature Applications?
Running experiments at high temperatures can damage or warp standard pans. I have seen results fail when the pan material could not keep stable in the heat.
Platinum pans are the most reliable choice for high-temperature DSC testing because they do not melt or oxidize like common metals at elevated temperatures.
| Pan Material | Max Temperature (°C) | Resistance to Oxidation | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 1600 | Excellent | High-Temperature DSC/STA |
| Aluminum | 600 | Poor above 550°C | Routine DSC |
| Gold-coated | 500 | Good for specific chemical samples | Reactive organics |
Platinum keeps its stability at elevated temperatures and is inert to most chemicals. Source: TA Instruments Compendium. If my application exceeds 600°C or deals with aggressive chemicals, I always use platinum for my DSC pans. It ensures the data stays reliable and the pan lasts longer.
Choosing Pans for Volatile Samples?
Samples that contain water or volatile organics can quickly escape from an open pan. This leads to inaccurate measurements and wasted material in my experience.
Hermetically sealed pans are essential for volatile samples because they stop evaporation and keep the sample intact during heating.
| Pan Type | Seal Quality | Suitable for Volatiles | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermetic | High (airtight) | Yes | Pressure-limited |
| Standard lid | Moderate | No | Allows losses |
| Vented | Low | Sometimes | Not liquid-tight |
Published research (Thermochimica Acta, 1989) shows hermetic pans prevent mass loss for water-rich analytes. This matches what I observe with pharmaceutical samples and food labs. Using the right seal always improves accuracy for these sensitive cases.
Pans for High-Pressure Experiments?
Regular sample pans may deform or even burst when heated if pressure builds up inside. High-pressure testing needs suitable sealing and material strength to avoid failures.
For high-pressure work, reinforced or specialty-sealed pans protect both the sample and the instrument from risk of rupture or leaks.
| Pan Type | Max Pressure Limit | Recommended Use | Safety Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-pressure Alum/SS Pan | Up to 3 bar | Decomposition, reaction kinetics | Reinforced rim |
| Hermetic plus reinforced lid | ~5 bar (special types) | Moisture, low gas volatiles | Double crimp, thicker wall |
| Platinum custom | 5+ bar | Research, non-ambient pressure | Custom machined, O-ring seal |
According to studies like Thermochimica Acta 2007, seal failures happen most often when pressure ratings are ignored. When my lab runs pressure-programmed DSC, I double-check both pan and lid design, always confirming documentation from suppliers before starting experiments.
Selecting Pans for Small Sample Quantities?
With limited sample material, oversize pans risk spreading out the sample and reduce heating efficiency. I want every test to use the least possible material for best accuracy.
Low-volume pans allow more efficient heat transfer and higher sensitivity. These pans help me get reliable results with minimal sample quantities.
| Pan Volume | Best Sample Size | When to Use | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–20 μL | 1–8 mg | Expensive, rare, or early R&D | Maximizes signal for micro-samples |
| 20–50 μL | 8–20 mg | Standard R&D or QA samples | Good balance, still efficient |
| 50+ μL | 20+ mg | Bulk, routine screening | Easy handling, less loss risk |
Source: DSC summary and published equipment guides show that pan volume directly impacts result quality for small samples. So, for every new material discovery project, I always check volume requirements first and pick the smallest suitable pan for the highest signal-to-noise ratio.
