Wave heat transfer in anisotropic space with nonlinear characteristics

An analytical solution to the problem of heat transfer in anisotropic space, the thermal-conductivity tensor components of which depend on temperature, has been obtained for the first time. Heat transfer is initiated by a pulsed point thermal-energy source. It is found that the heat transfer is of the wave type with a finite propagation rate of the thermal-wave front, although the heat conduction equation is of a parabolic type. Cases of different power-law temperature dependences of the thermal-conductivity tensor components have been investigated. It has been shown that the thermal-wave fronts have the shape of ellipsoids (in space) or ellipses (in plane). The results can be used to analyze the heat exchange in composites under laser irradiation.