Dielectric characterization instrument DX-TSC

Overview
The DX-TSC thermal stimulation current tester provides advanced characterization for functional dielectric materials. It supports up to ±10 kV test voltage and offers high-resistance and breakdown testing. Expandable options include dielectric temperature spectrum and frequency spectrum measurements. The system performs continuous, high-speed measurements in various modes, allowing a single instrument to replace multiple testers used for functional material evaluation.

Principle
TSDC (Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current) is the short-circuit current produced when a dielectric material polarizes or depolarizes during heating. The sample is clamped between electrodes and heated to release carriers while a DC polarization voltage is applied until polarization is achieved. After cooling to freeze the polarization, the sample is reheated at a constant rate and the depolarization current is recorded versus temperature to obtain the TSDC spectrum.

Product parameters

• Model: DX-TSC
• Temperature range: -185 to 600 °C
• Temperature control accuracy: ±0.25 °C
• Heating rate: up to 10 °C/min (adjustable)
• Maximum test voltage: ±10 kV
• Heating: DC electrode heating
• Cooling: water cooling (low temp via liquid nitrogen)
• Input voltage: AC 220 V
• Sample size supported: diameter < 25 mm, thickness < 4 mm
• Electrode materials: brass or silver
• Fixture material: 99% alumina ceramic
• Data output: RS-232
• Equipment footprint: 180 mm x 210 mm x 50 mm

Product advantages

• 1. Reduced influence of mains harmonics on acquisition accuracy: Dexinmag uses DC heating with additional filtering to minimize power-frequency interference and grid harmonics, improving measurement accuracy versus typical AC heating.
• 2. Minimized measurement-wire impedance and shielding errors at high temperature:
  • Transmission line materials and structure affect signal; impedance mismatch can introduce errors.
  • Shortening measurement leads increases accuracy.
  • High-temperature leads often lack effective shielding; insulating components (ceramics, refractory materials) can introduce capacitance and error.
  • A three-electrode measurement method is employed to improve shielding.
• 3. Optimized sample temperature measurement and electrodes:
  • Parallel-plate electrode design recommends small electrode area to reduce stray capacitance; sputtering a conductive layer on the sample is recommended.
  • Thermocouple readings near the sample may differ due to varying thermal coefficients; using a reference sample helps determine true sample temperature.
• 4. Advanced operating software: Test system software developed in LabVIEW provides stability, power-off data saving, image data saving/restoring, and compatibility with XP, Win7, Win10. Features include multilingual (Chinese/English) interface, real-time test monitoring, status-icon legend, user permissions, fault alarms, and customizable reports exportable to Excel/PDF.
• 5. Supported hardware: External 6517B or other high-voltage DC supplies; external high-voltage amplifier (+/-100 V to +/-10 kV); low-noise test fixture; temperature controller and high/low temperature chamber.
• 6. Additional test functions: Pyroelectric testing, leakage current testing, and user-defined excitation waveforms.

Applications / Use
The DX-TSC is suitable for studying relaxation times, phase transitions, glass transition temperatures, activation energy and other dielectric properties. Typical application areas include electrical materials research, insulation testing, biomolecule studies and related material science fields.

Technical specifications

• Model: DX-TSC
• Temperature range: -185 to 600 °C
• Temperature control accuracy: ±0.25 °C
• Heating rate: up to 10 °C/min (adjustable)
• Maximum test voltage: ±10 kV
• Heating method: DC electrode heating
• Cooling method: water cooling (low temperature via liquid nitrogen)
• Input voltage: AC 220 V
• Sample size: diameter < 25 mm, thickness < 4 mm
• Electrode materials: brass or silver
• Fixture auxiliary material: 99% alumina ceramic
• Data output: RS-232
• Equipment size: 180 mm x 210 mm x 50 mm