Technical Specifications of Disposable DSC Sample Pans: What You Need to Know

If your disposable DSC sample pan is not right for the job, your data will be off. Problems with test results can waste both your money and time.

The key technical specifications of disposable DSC sample pans are material composition, temperature and pressure tolerances, pan dimensions, and compatibility with your DSC instrument. Looking at these details ensures your thermal analysis results stay accurate.

Disposable DSC sample pans showing material, size, and compatibility details for thermal analysis instruments

Years of using different DSC pans taught me this lesson: the small details affect every test. I saw how wrong materials, volumes, or mismatched pans could throw off an entire experiment. If I understand what makes a pan right for my DSC instrument, I avoid problems before I start testing. Now, when I choose pans, I always look closely at technical data and speak with suppliers if I have any doubt. I suggest considering each factor in detail to avoid errors and get reliable results every time.

Material Composition of Disposable DSC Sample Pans?

Poor material choices can cause sample reactions or warped pans and ruin the thermal signal. Many people ignore this, but the type of pan metal can change the test’s outcome.

Disposable DSC sample pans are usually made from high-purity aluminum, but pans of other metals like platinum and gold are also used for special samples or high temperatures. Each material comes with unique strengths and drawbacks, affecting both baseline stability and sample compatibility.

Common Materials Used in DSC Pan Manufacturing

Material	Main Advantage	Typical Use Case	Temperature Limit
High-Purity Aluminum	Low baseline, cost-effective	Routine polymer and organic tests	Up to 600℃
Platinum	Stable at high temperatures, very inert	Ceramics, corrosive or high-temp samples	Up to 1600℃
Gold	Resistant to strong acids, good for sensitive chemicals	Specialty use for acids or medical research	Up to 900℃
Silver	High heat transfer	Fast response temperature studies	Up to 1000℃

I always check my sample's possible reactions with the pan metal before starting. Most of the time, aluminum pans work for common organics or polymers, but when working with acids or at high heat, platinum or gold makes more sense. The differences might look small in a table, but skipping this step can destroy months of careful lab work.

Temperature and Pressure Ranges of Disposable DSC Sample Pans?

If a pan cannot withstand the process temperature or pressure inside the chamber, it can deform, leak or cause unsafe test conditions. This mistake can make the data useless.

Disposable DSC sample pans come rated for certain maximum temperatures and pressures. Choosing a pan above your method’s limit is the only way to protect your sample and your testing device.

Standard Temperature and Pressure Ratings for DSC Sample Pans

Material	Temp Range (℃)	Pressure Tolerance	Sealing Types
Aluminum	-180 to 600	Low, up to 1 bar	Standard, hermetic, vented lid
Platinum	-180 to 1600	Medium, up to 3 bar	Re-usable, sealed
Gold	-100 to 900	Low, up to 1.5 bar	Hermetic
Silver	-100 to 1000	Low, up to 1 bar	Standard, vented

In my experience, if I do not pick a pan that matches the upper limit of my DSC method, I face warped pans or lost samples. Before every order, I match the pan’s datasheet with my run conditions. Some chemists only check temperature, but both temperature and internal pressure matter, especially for volatile or sealed runs.

Dimensions and Volume Capacities of Disposable DSC Sample Pans?

Wrong pan size causes poor contact, sample loss, or odd baseline drifts. If the volume is off, the signal becomes weak or inconsistent.

Disposable DSC sample pans come in standard volumes and outer diameters. You need to match these sizes to your sample type and the sensitivity of your chosen DSC instrument.

Common DSC Pan Sizes and Volumes

Outer Diameter (mm)	Height (mm)	Volume (μL)	Typical Usage
6.0	2.0	20–40	Standard organic, polymer melts
6.7	2.2	40–80	Powders, samples with low thermal response
8.0	3.0	80–100	Large-volume thermal tests

I always use a digital caliper to double-check the pan size if I test a new batch. Matching pan volume to my sample size improves both repeatability and signal strength in every analysis. If I ignore this, results get noisy or I need more repeats, wasting time and materials.

Compatibility of Disposable DSC Sample Pans with Different DSC Instruments?

If your pan does not fit your DSC machine, results become meaningless. Sometimes people even damage both the pan and the instrument.

Each DSC instrument brand has its own design for sample pans and lids. Ensuring compatibility means checking strict size, fitting and material standards for each model. This is true whether from TA Instruments, Mettler Toledo, PerkinElmer, or compatible brands like REDTHERMO.

DSC Sample Pan Model Compatibility Guide

DSC Brand	Typical Pan Type	Pan Diameter (mm)	Comment
TA Instruments	Standard Al, Hermetic Al	6.0	Requires matching lid design
PerkinElmer	Pin-hole, Crimped Al	6.7	Wide, deep bottom well
Mettler Toledo	Standard, High pressure	6.7	Precision fit, use vendor table
REDTHERMO Compatible	Al, Pt, Au, Custom	6.0/6.7/8.0	Compatibility by model table

I keep a printed compatibility chart for every DSC instrument in our lab. Before buying a new pan batch, I verify both part number and the physical size for my machine. I learned this after experiencing a test interruption when the pan did not fit. A small check avoids big problems in the lab.

Conclusion

I always focus on material, thermal limits, size, and instrument fit when selecting DSC sample pans. These technical checks help me avoid mistakes and get reliable results every time.