ISO 11357-1:2023

Overview

ISO 11357-1:2023 - Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 1: General principles is the introductory part of the ISO 11357 series. It defines the general principles, apparatus, sampling, calibration, procedures and reporting requirements common to DSC methods used for thermal analysis of plastics. This fourth edition (2023) updates calibration material examples and sapphire data for heat flow rate calibration. ISO 11357-1:2023 applies to thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers (with or without fillers, fibres or reinforcements) and links to subsequent parts of the series for specific test methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: DSC methods for polymers, polymer blends and related materials to observe physical transitions, chemical reactions, oxidative stability and heat capacity.
• DSC principles: Definitions and explanation of heat-flux and power-compensation DSC configurations and the interpretation of heat flow-rate curves.
• Apparatus and materials: Requirements for DSC instruments, crucibles (specimen and reference), purge gases and symmetrical measurement assemblies.
• Specimen preparation and conditioning: Guidance on sampling, specimen mass determination and conditioning prior to testing.
• Calibration:
  • Temperature, heat and heat-flow-rate calibration principles.
  • Reference and calibration materials (annexes provide recommended materials and interactions with crucible types).
  • Accuracy and calibration procedures (extended high-precision options included in normative annexes).
• Test procedure and modes: Baseline determination, scanning and isothermal modes, insertion and handling of crucibles, post-run checks (mass loss, specimen inspection).
• Reporting: Minimum information to include in DSC test reports to ensure reproducibility and comparability.
• Normative references: ISO 472 (Vocabulary) and ISO 80000-5 (Thermodynamics quantities and units).
• Annexes and guidance: Normative annexes for high-precision calibration and informative annexes covering recommended calibration materials, crucible interactions and general recommendations.

Applications

ISO 11357-1:2023 is essential for any laboratory performing DSC thermal analysis of plastics for:

• Quality assurance and routine testing of raw materials and finished products.
• Material characterization (glass transition, melting/crystallization behavior, curing reactions, polymorphic transitions).
• Research & development for polymer formulation and thermal stability studies.
• Data generation for product datasheets and property databases.
• Instrument validation and method development, including calibration best practices.

Who uses this standard

• Polymer scientists and materials engineers
• Analytical and QA/QC laboratories
• Instrument manufacturers and service engineers
• Regulatory bodies and standards committees
• R&D teams in plastics, composites and elastomers industries

Related standards

• ISO 11357 series (subsequent parts for specific DSC methods)
• ISO 472 - Plastics vocabulary
• ISO 80000-5 - Quantities and units (thermodynamics)

Keywords: ISO 11357-1, DSC, differential scanning calorimetry, plastics, thermal analysis, calibration, heat flow, glass transition, melting, crystallization, heat capacity, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers.