Specific heat capacity
Specific heat capacity (Cp) – a measured variable of the thermal analysis
The specific heat capacity of solids is used primarily in the construction industry for the assessment of the behavior of building material.
In summer, fabrics with high heat capacity keep the rooms cool for a long time. In winter, they keep the heat in the buildings longer. The heat storage capacity is also the basis for the selection of materials in furnace and heating construction.
The specific heat capacity was initially measured by immersing a heated sample of material in water.
After the temperature compensation, the specific heat of the sample was calculated on the basis of the temperature difference between the beginning and the end of the experiment. Since in the formula, the heat capacity of the experimental arrangement had to be considered, the process was somewhat cumbersome.
Linseis’ state-of-the-art meters are based on Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). These methods provide highly accurate measurement results in a short time. The measurements can be carried out in wide temperature ranges. As a result, it is additionally possible to determine the temperature dependence of the specific heat capacity.
