Temperature distribution in polymer samples during DSC-scans

Differential Scanning Calorimetry is frequently used for measurements of thermal properties on all kinds of substances. The temperature lag in the samples depend on the thermal properties and the thermal contact between sample and sample holder. In the paper, we discuss the temperature distribution in samples of comparatively low thermal conductivity, such as polymers. The purpose of this study is to pinpoint the substantial temperature differences that may occur in such bad conducting samples under different conditions. The calculations of the temperature gradients have been carried out by using a finite element software package.