Mathematical analysis of the heat measured by a power-compensated differential scanning calorimeter during the solidification of a multiphase alloy.

The determination of the solidification characteristics of alloys using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is difficult because of the unknowns associated with the kinetic of phase transformations and the thermal resistance between the sample and the temperature measuring device. This paper shows how appropriate assumptions coupled with a thermodynamic software package and an accurate mathematical analysis of a power-compensated DSC, can enable a direct comparison between the experimental and the theoretical heat evolutions obtained during the solidification of a multiphase alloy. This comparison is helpful in order to assess the thermodynamic database and to validate the different assumptions made in the solidification model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]