Thermal Conductivity

Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity determines the quantity of heat which flows in unit time through unit area of a layer of the substance of unit thickness with unit difference of temperature between its faces.

TPRL provides five methods to measure conductivity.

The most common is to measure the thermal diffusivity with the laser flash, specific heat, and density of the material. The thermal conductivity is a calculation product of these values.

λ=αC_pρ

This method can be used for conducting solids and some viscous liquids over a temperature range of liquid nitrogen to 2225°C.

For insulating solids, the step heat apparatus is used to measure the thermal conductivity. This method runs over a temperature range of -90°C to 1000°C.

For liquids, gels, and powders, the heated probe is used.

For conducting solids, the multi-property apparatus and the kohlrausch apparatus can be used. However, generally the laser flash is the preferred technique for these materials.

Still not sure what is the best testing method for your material? Use our Testing Method Selector Tool to help you decide.