Laboratory Experiments In Thermal Analysis Of Polymers For A Senior/Graduate Level Materials Science Course

In the lab accompanying a senior/graduate level Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polymers course, five new lab experiments in thermal analysis of polymers were developed to supplement the classroom lectures and the existing lab exercises. One of these experiments used a new, state-of-the-art rapid heating and cooling differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to investigate the effects of heating rate and isothermal annealing conditions on the thermal behavior of poly(ethylene terphthalate) (PET). This unique lab experiment was very successful with the students and, because of the high heating and cooling rates, the students were able to perform many experiments within the two hour lab. In this paper we discuss the implementation of these new thermal analysis labs in the course, with an emphasis in comparing the traditional DSC lab with the rapid heating/cooling DSC lab. Feedback from student surveys is also discussed.