Automated differential scanning calorimetry at low temperatures

A Perkin--Elmer DSC-2 scanning calorimeter was operated by means of a PDP-11/34 computer with time-shared scanner and voltmeter. Special attention was paid to the problems of measurement below room temp. down to the low-temp. limit. It was found that neon rather than helium, should be used as a purge gas, scans should always be started at a standardized liquid N level, and gas flow to the dry box should be stopped during measurements. Results on benzoic acid were then accurate to 0.6% from 120-300K. The specific heat of Sb was measured in the temp. interval 120-720K. 7 ref.--AA