A previously reported calibration and desmearing method for a differential thermal analysis (DTA) apparatus applicable to heating and cooling was successfully modified to be used in the high-temperature region (up to 1570 K). The method requires knowledge of parameters, which have a physical meaning, of the heat-flux model appropriate for the DTA apparatus. Values for these physical parameters were determined by calibration. As calibration materials Mo (exhibiting a smooth variation of specific heat with temperature) and Co (non-monotonic change of specific heat upon the ferro- to paramagnetic transition and vice versa) were employed. Experimental measures to improve the reproducibility were presented. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.