Cyclic differential scanning calorimetry and the melting and solidification of pure metals

Cyclic differential scanning calorimetry (also called cyclic DSC, modulated DSC or MDSC) can be used to investigate the melting and solidification of pure metals. A temperature oscillation is applied during isothermal annealing, and the resulting oscillation in the measured heat flow DSC signal depends sensitively on the melting and solidification kinetics of the DSC specimen. Cyclic DSC behaviour can be investigated by direct observation of the time variations in temperature and heat flow, or by plotting heat flow versus temperature to form Lissajous's figures. The equilibrium melting point can be measured by varying the isothermal annealing temperature until the DSC specimen is resistant to complete melting or solidification over many cycles. The mobility of the solid-liquid interface can be measured independently from the mean value, amplitude and phase of the heat-flow DSC signal.