Closer relation between thermal analysis and calorimetry

Several DTA experiments followed by calorimetric works are reviewed here to emphasise the importance of complementary role of both techniques. The thermal analysis is advantageous in the sense that it gives quickly the overall view of thermal behaviour of a material under various conditions. Calorimetric work provides accurate heat capacity data which enable to derive thermodynamic functions including the enthalpy and entropy. The latter quantity is especially important in judging whether the material obeys the third law of thermodynamics. However, calorimetric work leads occasionally to an erroneous conclusion if the work is not preceded by thermal analysis performed under various conditions. Sometimes, quality of information obtained by DTA exceeds that obtained by laborious calorimetry.