Graphs displaying storage modulus (G’, blue), loss modulus (G”, red), and phase angle (δ, green) for polypropylene melt analysis.
differential scanning calorimetry

DSC 500 Pegasus®

High-Temperature DSC up to 2000°C

Highlights

Unmatched Accuracy in High-Temperature DSC Analysis

The DSC 500 Pegasus® High-Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimeter sets the standard for precision for DSC analysis, even at the highest temperatures. Designed for the investigation of high-performance materials, it provides solutions to complex challenges in thermal analysis.

  • Modular Design for extensive Versatility: Our modular design allows for easy exchange of furnaces and sensors, making the instrument adaptable to different applications. This system operates over a wide temperature range from -150°C to 2000°C to meet a variety of thermal analysis requirements.
  • Superior Sensor Technology for Precise Measurements: Our high-performance heat flux DSC sensors, combined with precise sensor positioning, ensures exceptional accuracy for demanding applications, including specific heat measurements at high temperatures.
  • Vacuum-Tight Design for Elimination of Atmospheric Influences: Our vacuum-tight design, combined with precise gas flow control, enables accurate management of high-purity atmospheres, including inert, oxidizing, reducing, and corrosive gases. By eliminating the possibility of unwanted reactions, this design supports reliable results.
  • Versatile Hardware and Intelligent Software for Efficient Research: Our DSC includes a dual-hoist system that supports the operation of two furnaces or an integration of our Automatic Sample Changer (ASC), capable of handling up to 20 samples. Complementing this hardware is our superior software suite, including AutoEvaluation for automated data analysis and Identify for advanced material identification. This setup streamlines sample processing, optimizing research workflows and saving valuable time.
  • Beyond Standard DSC Analysis: Our DSC system goes beyond traditional thermal analysis by enabling coupling with evolved gas analysis systems such as FT-IR or Mass Spectrometers. This integration significantly enhances the depth of information available from a single analysis, providing detailed insights into gas evolution and material behavior during thermal processes.

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Our Quality Promise:

NETZSCH’s Unlimited Warranty

At NETZSCH, our commitment to quality goes beyond the instruments themselves. We understand that your investment in advanced technology is a long-term one, and and that’s why we offer something truly unique – our Unlimited Warranty.

Method

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a powerful analytical technique widely utilized in materials science, chemistry, and related fields to measure thermal transitions in materials. The heat-flow DSC system, a common variant, operates by directly measuring the heat flow associated with material changes as a function of temperature and time.

Diagram illustrating a furnace setup with a sample and reference, showing heat flow (QPR) and temperature difference (ΔT).
Measuring Principle of Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The measurement principle of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is based on monitoring the difference in the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a sample and a reference material at the same rate. Because the sample and reference are exposed to identical temperature conditions, any difference in heat flow between them is meaningful and thus measured. This difference indicates that the sample is undergoing physical or chemical changes such as melting, CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization or chemical reactions that either absorb or release heat.

A DSC measuring cell consists of a furnace and an integrated heat-flux sensor with designated positions for the sample and reference pans.

The DSC instrument records these heat flow differences as the temperature changes, providing a detailed profile of the sample´s thermal properties and transitions.

The DSC systems are based on relevant instrument and application standards, e.g., ISO 11357, ASTM E793, ASTM D3895, ASTM D3417, ASTM D3418, DIN 51004 and DIN 51007.

Specifications

Technical Data

Maximum Temperature Range
-150 °C to 2000 °C
Gas Atmospheres
Inert, oxidizing, static and dynamic.
Optional Oxygen Trap System (OTS®) for oxygen impurities below 1 ppmO2
NETZSCH DSC 500 Progress, a differential scanning calorimeter, designed for precise thermal analysis.

Temperature Accuracy
± 0.5K

Temperature Precision
± 0.15K

Enthalpy Precision
± 1 … 3% (depending on temperature range)

Specific Heat Capacity Precision

-150°C to 1000°C: ± 1.0%

RT to 1400°C: ± 2.5%

RT to 1500°C: ± 3.5%

The DSC 500 Pegasus® offers an interchangeable sensor system which allows for customizable solutions through various furnace-sensor combinations, ensuring optimal performance for any task.

The instrument offers unmatched flexibility with a wide range of sensors to suit diverse application needs. It allows for customizable solutions through various furnace-sensor combinations, ensuring optimal performance for any task. The user-friendly design ensures intuitive and efficient operation, making it easy-to-handle in any setting.

Different sample carriers for thermal analysis, showcasing DTA and DSC models for high-temperature applications up to 2000°C.
Table of interchangeable thermocouples detailing temperature ranges, sensor types, and applicable atmospheres for accurate thermal measurements.

Oxygen Trap System

The OTS® (Oxygen Trap System) is a versatile and efficient solution designed for various applications, particularly in environments where managing oxygen levels is crucial. This system is engineered to effectively capture and remove oxygen from a given space, making it ideal for processes that require very low oxygen concentrations (< 1ppm) in order to prevent OxidationOxidation can describe different processes in the context of thermal analysis.oxidation or other chemical reactions.

OTS® accessory illustration for oxygen reduction below 1 ppm, featuring getter material ring, support, and radiation shield.

Evolved Gas Analysis

The DSC 500 Pegasus® offers seamless integration with Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) techniques, enabling advanced material characterization. Coupling options include FT-IR, mass spectrometry (MS) and GC-MS. These capabilities allow detailed investigation of Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition processes, volatile emissions, and reaction mechanisms, providing further insights into material behavior under thermal treatment.

Explore the full potential of NETZSCH´s coupling solutions for comprehensive thermal and evolved gas analysis.

Glove Box and Hot Cell Instruments

The DSC 500 Pegasus® is available in special versions designed for operation within glove boxes or hot cells. These configurations feature external electronics and specialized gas-tight feedthroughs, enabling precise thermal analysis under restricted working conditions.

Corrosive-Resistant Version

The DSC 500 Pegasus® is available in a corrosive-resistant version, featuring external mass flow controllers and specialized sealing. This design enables precise thermal analysis under aggressive atmospheres, ensuring accurate results even under challenging conditions.

The DSC 500 Pegasus® offer a variety of crucibles, enabling precise measurements across a temperature range from -150°C to 2000°C. Crucible options include metals (Al, Ag, Au, etc.), ceramics (Al₂O₃, MgO, ZrO₂, Y₂O₃, BN, etc.), and graphite, catering to diverse sample needs. For inhomogeneous or low-DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. density samples, different crucible sizes ensure flexibility.

For specific requirements, additional specialized crucibles are available:

Aluminum crucibles can be sealed gas-tight with a convenient sealing press, ideal for isolating samples from ambient atmosphere or containing gas emissions.

Reusable stainless steel and titanium autoclave crucibles, for measurements under increased pressures of up to 100

A PtRh/ceramic crucible system with a removable liner is available for studies involving metal melts or reactive test materials, ensuring robust performance in challenging conditions.

For more information, please check out our Accessories Catalogue.

DTA crucibles and DSC pans with a removable ceramic liner for thermal analysis, displayed with their respective tools.
TypeTemperature rangeCooling system
Silver furnace-120°C to 675°Cliquid nitrogen
Steel furnace-150°C to 1000°Cliquid nitrogen
Platinum furnaceRT to 1500°Cforced air
Silicon carbide furnaceRT to 1600°Cforced air
Rhodium furnaceRT to 1650°Cforced air
Graphite furnaceRT to 2000°Ctap or chilled water

An automatic piercing device attached to the gripper is optionally available; this opens the lids of aluminum crucibles shortly before the measurement starts.

Precision laboratory equipment with a metallic probe positioned over a circular platform, showcasing advanced testing technology.

NETZSCH at the Max-Planck Institute

How is the Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids using the NETZSCH DSC Pegasus®?

Software

Proteus®: Simplifying Complex Thermal Analysis

Proteus® software is designed to take the complexity out of thermal analysis, providing a seamless, user-friendly experience without sacrificing analytical power. Designed to run on the Windows® platform, Proteus® provides everything you need to perform precise measurements and evaluate data with confidence. Its intuitive menus and automated routines streamline even the most complex analyses, making it an essential tool for professionals seeking reliable and efficient thermal insight. Licensed with the instrument, Proteus® can also be installed on additional systems, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for your workflow.

Proteus® software provides users with a wide range of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) features for accurate and comprehensive thermal analysis:

3D mass-loss curve and FT-IR spectra of gases released during DCP heating, showcasing absorbance and temperature variations.

This instrument is LabV®️-ready.

Turn data into better products with LabV®—a centralized, AI-driven material intelligence platform that integrates data from this instrument and any other data sources. Designed for R&D and QC engineers, LabV® enables data-driven decision-making to drive innovation and ensure consistently high-quality results.

Further Advanced Software Options

The Proteus® modules and expert software solutions offer further advanced processing of the thermoanalytical data for more sophisticated analyses.

TM-DSC module software extension for temperature-modulated DSC tests:

Temperature-modulated DSC (TM-DSC) is a DSC technique whereby a sample is subjected to a superposition of a linear and a periodic temperature program. Temperature-modulated DSC enables the separation of overlapped DSC effects by calculating the reversing and non-reversing signals. Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.Glass transitions can therefore be well separated from, for example, ExothermicA sample transition or a reaction is exothermic if heat is generated.exothermal Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing, Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. decomposition, evaporation, RelaxationWhen a constant strain is applied to a rubber compound, the force necessary to maintain that strain is not constant but decreases with time; this behavior is known as stress relaxation. The process responsible for stress relaxation can be physical or chemical, and under normal conditions, both will occur at the same time. relaxation or cold-CrystallizationCrystallization is the physical process of hardening during the formation and growth of crystals. During this process, heat of crystallization is released.crystallization processes in a single TM-DSC test. The DSC 500 Pegasus® is the only DSC which allows for TM-DSC tests up to 1650°C. Nearly all available furnaces in combination with different DSC sensors are suited for such tests. It is totally based on a software solution. The NETZSCH TM-DSC solution improves separation of time-dependent events from the total heat flow.

Peak Separation permits accurate separation and evaluation of overlapping transitions.

PeakSeparation allows for the presentation of experimental data in the form of the additive overlap­ping of peaks. This program offers different curve types such as Pearson, Gauß, Cauchy, pseudoVoigt, Fraser-Suzuki, modified Laplace and Pearson. With it, the experimental data is fitted as an additive superposition of peaks.

Purity Determination is a program for determining the purity of a material through analysis of the DSC melting peak.

This advanced temperature calibration, which conforms to international standards, is not only temperature dependent, but also heating rate dependent. This software option is especially beneficial for temperature accuracy when different heating rates are used in the same measurement.

Prediction of Material Behavior and Reaction Processes:

Materials with accurately defined properties can be transformed into other substances with other properties by chemical reactions. The reactions can take place within a fraction of a second – like in the case of explosions – or take hundreds of thousands of years, as is the case in the formation of minerals. This is because processes like decomposition, curing, crystallization and sintering of materials are dependent on time and temperature. Knowledge about the speed of these processes is therefore important in order to simulate material behavior or optimize a process.

Kinetics, also called reaction kinetics or chemical kinetics, studies the rate of chemical processes and allows for determination of reaction rates. It also takes the factors, which control these reactions, into account.

NETZSCH Kinetics Neo software is used to analyze chemical processes. The software allows for the analysis of temperature-dependent processes. The result of such analysis is a kinetics model or method correctly describing experimental data under different temperature conditions. Use of the model allows for predictions of a chemical system’s behavior under user-defined temperature conditions. Alternatively, such models can be used for process optimization.

The software can analyze different types of thermal curves that depict the changes in a given material property measured during a process. Potential data sources include studies using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Dilatometry (DIL), Dielectric Analysis (DEA), Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC)The method describing isothermal and adiabatic test procedures used to detect thermally exothermic decomposition reactions.Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (Accelerating Rate Calorimetry (ARC)The method describing isothermal and adiabatic test procedures used to detect thermally exothermic decomposition reactions.ARC®), Rheology and Viscosity (Torque).

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Consultancy & Sales

Do you have further questions about the instrument, the method and would you like to speak to a sales representative?

Service & Support

Do you already have an instrument and need technical support or spare parts?

Videos

Our Latest Instrument for PreciseSpecific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.cp Measurements: The NETZSCH DSC 500 Pegasus®

Discover our new thermal analysis solution, designed for enhanced lab efficiency. Featuring a wide temperature range, modular design, and advanced atmosphere control, the DSC 500 Pegasus® offers precise, reproducible results for various applications. The intuitive touch display and powerful software streamline your workflow, saving you valuable time.

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This is an excerpt of our NETZSCH Tech Talk of December 2024.

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