ISO 11357-1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Plastics — Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) — Part 1: General principles. This document (ISO 11357-1:2023) sets out the general principles, apparatus, sampling, calibration, procedural aspects and reporting requirements that apply across the ISO 11357 series of DSC methods used for thermal analysis of polymers and polymer blends.

Abstract

The ISO 11357 series specifies differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods for the thermal analysis of thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers (with or without fillers, fibres or reinforcements). It covers observation and measurement of physical transitions (glass transition, melting, crystallization, polymorphic transitions), chemical reactions (polymerization, crosslinking, curing), stability to oxidation and heat‑capacity determinations. Part 1 (this document) describes general aspects common to all parts: DSC principle and apparatus, sampling and sample handling, calibration, general test procedure considerations and the information to be included in test reports.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: February 2023
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 83.080.01 (Plastics — in general)
• Edition / version: 4th edition (2023)
• Number of pages: 34

Scope

ISO 11357-1:2023 applies to DSC methods used for thermal analysis of polymers and polymer blends (thermoplastics, thermosets and elastomers). It establishes the foundational requirements and common rules that subsequent parts apply and expand on for specific measurements (e.g., glass transition, melting/crystallization enthalpy, heat capacity, oxidation induction time, reaction enthalpy and kinetics). The part does not provide the detailed step‑by‑step procedures for each specific measurement but defines the principles, instrumentation characteristics, sampling, calibration and reporting conventions to ensure comparability across DSC tests within the series.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle of DSC and basic measurement modes (heat‑flow vs. temperature programs)
• Apparatus requirements and performance characteristics (sensors, crucibles, baseline stability)
• Sample preparation, mass, encapsulation and handling to avoid artefacts
• Calibration procedures for temperature and heat‑flow (including reference materials)
• Baseline correction, signal processing and methods for determining transition temperatures and enthalpies
• Determination and reporting of heat capacity (cp) where applicable
• Guidance on oxidation/aging tests (general considerations; specific OIT methods are in other parts)
• Documentation and minimum reporting requirements to ensure traceability and reproducibility
• Notes on uncertainty, repeatability and interlaboratory comparability
• Safety and practical considerations for DSC operation (gas atmosphere, heating rates)

Typical use and users

Used in research & development, quality control, failure analysis and regulatory testing where thermal properties of polymers are important. Typical users include polymer and materials laboratories, instrument manufacturers, plastics processors, academic researchers and certification bodies that perform or evaluate DSC measurements for glass transition, melting/crystallization behaviour, curing reactions, heat capacity and oxidation/stability assessments.

Related standards

ISO 11357 is a multipart series; commonly referenced related parts include (examples): Part 2 — Determination of glass transition temperature and step height; Part 3 — Determination of temperature and enthalpy of melting and crystallization; Part 4 — Determination of specific heat capacity; Part 5 — Determination of reaction temperatures, reaction enthalpy and degree of conversion; Part 6 — Determination of oxidation induction time (OIT); Part 7 — Crystallization kinetics; and additional parts covering other DSC applications and procedures. The series is regularly revised and some individual parts have newer editions or replacements in progress. ISO 11357-1:2023 provides the common framework used by these companion parts.

Keywords

differential scanning calorimetry; DSC; plastics; polymers; thermoplastics; thermosets; elastomers; glass transition; melting; crystallization; enthalpy; heat capacity; oxidation induction time; calibration; sample preparation; ISO 11357

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 11357-1:2023 is the first (general principles) part of the ISO 11357 series on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for plastics; it defines principles, apparatus expectations, sampling, calibration and reporting common to the series.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the general aspects of DSC measurements for polymers — instrumentation, measurement principle, sample handling, calibration and required information in test reports. Specific measurement procedures (glass transition, melting, heat capacity, OIT, reaction enthalpy/kinetics, etc.) are detailed in other parts of the ISO 11357 series.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Polymer laboratories (R&D and QC), instrument manufacturers, standards bodies, certification and testing houses, and academic researchers who perform DSC testing on plastics and need consistent, comparable procedures and reporting.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 11357-1:2023 is the current published edition (4th edition, published February 2023). It replaces earlier editions (including the 2016 edition and earlier withdrawn versions) and represents the up‑to‑date general principles for the series as of its publication.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 11357 is a multipart standard covering DSC methods for plastics; Part 1 contains the general principles and subsequent parts provide methods for particular measurements (for example Parts 2–8 and later revisions/addenda).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, polymers, glass transition, melting, crystallization, enthalpy, heat capacity, oxidation induction time, calibration, sample preparation, ISO 11357.