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Choosing the wrong sample pan for a DSC test often causes bad data and wasted effort. Each sample and method has unique requirements that need precise solutions.
To select the best sample pan for your Mettler Toledo DSC, match pan material, design, and capacity to the sample type and your application goals. Pan selection directly impacts test accuracy and repeatability.
Experience taught me to adjust my choice of pan for each new project. Following a scenario-based approach, I now consider the sample’s behavior and analysis purpose before choosing anything.
Which Sample Pan Is Best for Polymer Analysis?
Polymer samples sometimes melt, decompose, or outgas. Incorrect pans may warp or allow vapor escape. I learned this lesson after losing data during a key polymer melt trial.
Pans for polymer analysis need high thermal stability, efficient heat transfer, and enough space for swelling. Most users select high-purity aluminum pans with secure lids for these samples.
| Material | Thermal Stability (°C) | Design Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Up to 600 | Hermetic or Pressed Lid | Prevents vapor loss, supports melting |
| Platinum | Up to 1600 | Rigid Form, Vented | Withstands higher decomposition |
| PTFE Lined | Up to 260 | Chemical Resistance | Makes safe for reactive additives |
For a composite polymer with volatile components, I relied on hermetic aluminum pans to avoid sample mass loss. Evaluating the pan’s thermal property before each polymer study raises the experiment’s accuracy (source).
Choosing the Right Pan for Pharmaceutical Testing in DSC
In drug testing, accuracy and repeatability matter most. In my work, any pan contamination or volume error leads to failed validation.
Pharmaceutical testing needs sample pans made with precise volume, strict cleanliness, and inert construction to avoid reactions. Hermetically sealing pans are widely used to keep samples protected.
| Pan Type | Typical Volume (μL) | Special Feature | Application Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Hermetic | 40–100 | Gas-tight, Easy Seal | Drug stability, melting study |
| PTFE Lined | 20–40 | Chemically Inert | Acidic or sensitive drugs |
| Micro Sample | 5–20 | Small Volume Accuracy | Trace active analysis |
Micro-sample aluminum pans proved necessary when I worked with precious API screening. The reduction in pan volume errors gave me more reliable pharmaceutical test results (Pharmaceutical).
What to Consider for High-Temperature Applications?
Extreme temperatures break standard pans, leading to ruined tests and damaged DSC parts. I once lost a batch of ceramic data from pan softening and deformation.
Select pans made from metals like platinum or high-purity alumina for tests above 600°C. These pans offer superior resistance against melting and oxidation.
| Material | Max Temp (°C) | Main Use | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 1600 | Metals, Ceramics, Inorganics | High |
| Alumina | 1700 | Ceramics, Oxides | Very High |
| Aluminum | 600 | Polymers, Pharma (Medium Temp) | Moderate |
I discovered that switching to platinum pans for glass transition analysis secured the sample and kept the pan stable. Choosing the right material is critical for thermal integrity in high-temp situations (Refractory Metals).
How to Select Sample Pans for Small Sample Quantities?
Handling trace or expensive samples means that any loss or improper measurement skews results. This happened when I tried using standard pans for just a few milligrams of material.
Use micro sample pans or low-volume designs made with low-mass lids. This allows better sensitivity and reduces sample waste for microgram or milligram testing.
| Pan Type | Volume (μL) | Design Detail | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Aluminum | 5–10 | Thin Wall, Light Cover | Most micro-quantities |
| Micro Platinum | 5–10 | High Thermal Response | Sensitive reactions |
| Micro Analysis Pan | <5 | Ultra-light Construction | Nanoscale R&D |
For my last catalyst screening experiment, using a dedicated micro pan let me measure tiny heat flows with far less background noise. The right micro pan keeps efficiency high and losses low (DSC).
Still unsure which pan to use for your special DSC application? Contact a REDTHERMO expert for fast, specific advice.
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