Phil Robinson has been involved in various aspects of thermal analysis since 1980, and initially worked in the thermal analysis service laboratory in the main research department for Imperial Chemical Industries PLC, based in Runcorn in the United Kingdom. Here he worked with DSC, TGA, TMA and evolved gas analysis, before leaving to join Perkin-Elmer Ltd in 1984.

Now with over 20 years practical experience in the field of thermal analysis, his current role is as a support specialist assisting thermal analysis users to get the best from their PerkinElmer thermal analysis systems, as well as providing technical training and support. This role covers the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway Finland, Holland and Belgium.

The technique of Modulated Temperature DSC has come into prominence in the last 6 years or so, and it has brought an increase in sensitivity for detection of small transitions. This paper will discuss the application of MT-DSC to processing plastic materials and in particular the detection of glass transitions in thin coatings. Application examples are discussed, as well as some aspects of plastic processing which can be determined by DSC.