Sources of Error:

There are a number of sources of error in DSC, and they could lead to inaccuracies within the recorded data of heat. A few of the errors might be corrected through placing the thermo balance at proper place and handing it along with the care. For understanding we are discussing a few general sources of errors during operation or common as discussed in DTA except the within accuracy caused through secondary heaters and thermostats.

Errors can be prevented through proper placing of instrument in the laboratory, managing operating temperature, and constant power supply. Through preventing excessive heating rate and proper gas flow rate other errors can be also prevented.

To additionally minimize the errors during experiments, same to DTA, DSC instruments are also be calibrated for the temperature and peak area measurements along with suitable standards. The just difference is in which calibration constant in DTA condition is temperature dependent to a significant degree. Thus in DTA measurement, we should calibrate peak areas using a standard that gives a reference peak within a similar temperature range as the test sample. In DSC condition, K is independent of temperature. Thus, it needs simple steps for the calibration of the instrument. For peak area calibration we require standard of high purity and accurately known enthalpy of fusion (? H f) are required. Few instances of calibration standards are indium (In), tin, lead, benzoic acid, gold, silver, etc.