Modulated DSC as a tool for polyethylene structure characterization

The Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter (MDSC) technique, using TA Q1000 instrument, has been applied as a tool to study the reversible and non-reversible heat flow characteristics of a wide range of polyethylenes. It was found that the heat flow characteristic is dependent upon the heating rates and modulation period used in the test. By using a set of standard test conditions, MDSC was found to be useful in studying the effect of previous thermal processing conditions, additive effects, and also the density, MI, type of comonomer, and molecular architecture.