What to Do If Your Sample Container Leaks During DTA Testing?

Leaking sample containers risk both your data and the thermal analysis equipment. Most leaks come from poor seals, wrong materials, or using the wrong design for volatile or liquid samples.

If a sample container leaks, stop the test, clean the equipment, and switch to a properly sealing, heat-resistant type. Use hermetic or vented containers for volatile samples and double-check for any cracks or seal issues before running DTA (Differential Thermal Analysis).

Leak Source	Main Cause	Solution	Lab Example
Poor lid design	Loose or warped lid	Switch to hermetic containers	Moist/wet pharma samples
High sample pressure	Gassing or expansion	Use vented or pressure-resistant pans	Polymer curing test
Material melting	Overheating	Choose higher temp material (e.g., platinum)	High-temp salts
Container crack	Damage or poor QC	Inspect and replace	Repeated-use aluminum pans

 

How to Prevent Contamination in Sample Containers for DTA?

Contamination is a top source of false or misleading DTA signals. Causes include residue from past tests, container reactivity, or using the wrong cleaning process.

Prevent contamination by using inert containers (such as platinum), cleaning with approved lab solvents, and drying before use. Keep separate containers for incompatible sample types and always store in clean, dry conditions (contamination).

Contamination Source	Prevention	Cleaning Method	Best Practice
Residue	Thorough cleaning each use	Solvent, heat or acid wash	Single use for trace analysis
Incompatible material	Select inert container	Use high-purity alloy	Use platinum for organics/metals
Cross-sample mix	Group by sample type	Dedicated or disposable pans	Label or color-code pans
Bad storage	Dry, sealed container	Desiccant or air-tight box	Immediate post-wash storage

 

Why Do Sample Containers Sometimes React with Samples in DTA?

Reaction between the sample and the container can skew results or even ruin the sample. This often happens with reactive metals, acids, or salts and the wrong choice of container material.

Stop unwanted reactions by matching your sample's chemistry with an inert container. Platinum and some ceramics resist most reactions. Check for any known incompatibilities before choosing your pan to ensure clean results (chemical reactivity).

Sample Type	Risk Level	Ideal Container	Typical Error
Sulfur compounds	High	Pure platinum or ceramic	False exotherms
Acidic solution	Medium	Ceramic, gold-lined	Sudden mass drop
Metals/alloys	Medium-high	Platinum or alumina	Contamination, loss of sample
Reactive organics	Medium	Aluminum, platinum	Shifted baseline

 

How to Choose the Right Container to Avoid Thermal Degradation in DTA?

Thermal degradation of the container can interfere with data or cause sample loss. Low-quality pans or incorrect material selection are obvious sources in these situations.

Pick sample containers rated for your experiment’s highest temperature. Always check the material performance curve and avoid using thin pans for extreme heat or lengthy runs. Ceramics and platinum last the longest under repeated cycles and high temperatures (thermal degradation).

Container Material	Max Safe Temp (°C)	Degradation Risk	Longevity
Aluminum	630	Softens, melts	Low (single/multi-use)
Ceramic	1750	Rare, may crack	High (multi-cycle)
Platinum	1600	Very rare	Very high (frequent reuse)
Gold-lined	1000	Surface oxidation possible	Medium-high