A differential scanning calorimeter was used for measurements of the h
eat capacity of cr-pinene, P-pinene, limonene, and a sample of turpent
ine at atmospheric pressure, at temperatures from 313 to 403 K. It was
calibrated by measuring the enthalpy of fusion and the temperature of
fusion of several pure (99.999%) metals. Repeatability and reproducib
ility tests were performed to access the accuracy of the instrument. T
he accuracy was confirmed by using standard reference materials like,
toluene distilled and dried in molecular sieves, and deionised water,
in the temperature range of 300 to 400 K. The results demonstrate that
the calorimeter is capable of producing data of enthalpies of fusion
with an uncertainty of 1.7%, temperatures of fusion within 0.2 K, and
heat capacities with an uncertainty of 1.5%, all at a 95% confidence l
evel. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.