PHYSICAL AGING OF MALTOSE GRASSES

Physical aging is the alteration in the physical properties of a glass , as a function of time, at temperatures below its glass transition te mperature (Tg). The physical aging of maltose glasses, prepared from m altose monohydrate sugar, was studied using differential scanning calo rimetry (DSC). The maltose was aged at 30 degrees C for times ranging from 5 min to approximate to 10 days. The Tg and change in heat capaci ty of the unaged and aged maltose glasses were measured. The change in enthalpy relaxation with aging time was determined by integrating the difference between the aged and the unaged DSC thermograms. The entha lpic relaxation data were adequately described by the Williams-Watts e quation.