Recommended values for the thermal conductivity of aluminium of different purities in the cryogenic to room temperature range, and a comparison with copper

The thermal conductivity of pure aluminium at cryogenic temperatures varies by many orders of magnitude depending on purity and treatment, and there is little information in the literature on the likely values to be obtained for samples of a given purity. A compilation of measurements from the literature has been assembled and used to provide recommended ranges of values for aluminium of different purities (4N, 5N and 6N) in the normal (non superconducting) state. The number of direct thermal conductivity measurements is too limited to be used alone. Electrical resistivity measurements have thus also been used by converting to thermal conductivity using the Wiedemann-Franz law, which is shown to be valid. Since low temperature measurements can easily be extrapolated to higher temperatures, the results cover the range from 1.2 K (the superconducting transition temperature) to room temperature. Values for 5N purity copper have also been examined in a similar manner, to allow a comparison between the two materials. The main application of these results is in the design of cryogenic thermal links; a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of both materials for this use is given. The use of silver is also investigated briefly. Trends in the behaviour of the conductivity of aluminium in the superconducting state (to temperatures as low as 50 mK) are also discussed.     

Thermal conductivity of Tecamax® SRP from millikelvin temperatures to room temperature

Tecamax® SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene) is a new commercially available amorphous polymer which is suitable for use at cryogenic temperatures. It has a high tensile strength (210 MPa at room temperature), resulting from the molecular structure of the polymer rather than by the addition of reinforcing materials. We have measured the thermal conductivity between 60 mK and 280 K. We find that the conductivity below 10 K is similar to, but lower than, most amorphous materials, and the material offers a good combination of low conductivity at low temperatures and high tensile strength. Our results suggest that the material may in fact have a small crystalline component, which may be a partial explanation for the low conductivity. Above 10 K, the temperature dependence of the conductivity is different from most amorphous materials. We are unaware of previous measurements of the thermal conductivity of this material, even at room temperature.     

The electrical resistance and thermal conductivity of Ti 15V–3Cr–3Sn–3Al at cryogenic temperatures

Ti 15V–3Cr–3Sn–3Al, sometimes referred to as Ti 15-3-3-3 or “Magic Titanium”, is a candidate material for components requiring high mechanical strength and low thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures. The electrical resistance of Ti 15-3-3-3 was measured between 230 mK and room temperature, and the thermal conductivity between 230 mK and 7.7 K. A superconducting transition was observed at T_C = 3.89 ± 0.01 K. Below the superconducting transition temperature, the thermal conductivity was fitted to a function of the form λ(T<T_C)=α·T·e^-β·T_C/T, where α = 0.043 ± 0.002 W/(m K²) and β = 0.27 ± 0.01. Above T_C, the thermal conductivity of Ti 15-3-3-3 was fitted to a function of the form λ(T > T_C) = γ · T^δ, where and δ = 0.4 ± 0.05. The thermal conductivity of Ti 15-3-3-3 is compared with other materials commonly used for the construction of thermally isolating support structures. Ti 15-3-3-3 is shown to exhibit one of the lowest ratios of thermal conductivity to mechanical strength and is thus particularly well suited for such applications.     

A method for accurate thermal conductivity measurements of small samples at ultra-low temperatures

A specific experimental arrangement has been developed for low temperature measurements of thermal conductivity of small samples such as single crystals of magnetic insulators with a typical length of a few millimeters. A frame of low conductance, serving as a mechanical support for ruthenium thermometers recording the temperature gradient on a sample, has been tested in the temperature range from 150 mK to 5 K by using commercial 99.95% purity polycrystalline non-annealed molybdenum. The applicability of the setup is discussed for the samples with the thermal conductance in the range 10⁻⁵-10⁻³ W/K.     

Measurement of the thermal expansion of metal and FRPs

Thermal expansion is an important parameter for characterization of different binding forces, lattice dynamics, band and crystal structure of any solids. Many investigators have focused their attention to study this property theoretically and experimentally at different temperatures. It is one of the important properties of metals and its alloys, which helps to calculate the thermal stress. This parameter is also used to determine the compatibility of an insulator as load bearing materials. Different experimental setups have been developed to study thermal expansions of the materials using different techniques namely capacitance method, interferometric principle, LASER, optical, quartz tube etc. This paper reviews most of the experimental setups available to measure thermal expansion of metals, alloys, polymers and fibre-reinforced plastics at temperature ranging from 1 to 1100 K.     

Shear viscosity and thermal conductivity of dipolar real fluids from equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation

Equilibrium molecular dynamics and the Green-Kubo formalism were used to simultaneously calculate shear viscosity and thermal conductivity for 10 refrigerants: R11, R12, R22, R23, R41, R123, R134a, R142b, R143a, and R152a. The fluids were modelled in previous work of Stoll et al. [J Chem Phys 2003;119:11396-407] using the two-center Lennard-Jones plus point dipole (2CLJD) pair potential, with parameters adjusted to vapor-liquid equilibria only. The predicted shear viscosities and thermal conductivities show an overall average deviation of about 15% and 10%, respectively, from correlations of experimental data.     

Kapitza resistance and thermal conductivity of Kapton in superfluid helium

We have determined simultaneously the Kapitza resistance, R_K, and the thermal conductivity, κ, of Kapton HN sheets at superfluid helium temperature in the range of 1.4–2.0 K. Five sheets of Kapton with varying thickness from 14 to 130 μm, have been tested. Steady-state measurement of the temperature difference across each sheet as a function of heat flux is achieved. For small temperature difference (10–30 mK) and heat flux density smaller than 30 W m⁻², the total thermal resistance of the sheet is determined as a function of sheet thickness and bath temperature. Our method determines with good accuracy the Kapitza resistance, R_K=(10540±444)T⁻³×10⁻⁶ K m² W⁻¹, and the thermal conductivity, κ=[(2.28±0.54)+(2.40±0.32)×T]×10⁻³ W m⁻¹ K⁻¹. Result obtained for the thermal conductivity is in good agreement with data found in literature and the Kapitza resistance’s evolution with temperature follows the theoretical cubic law.     

The thermal conductivity of cryogenic insulation materials and its temperature dependence

For the presentation of the thermal conductivity of cryogenic insulation materials and their integral mean values an empirical function is suggested, with which experimentally found values can be extrapolated to other temperature levels.The selection of materials includes granulated and fibrous insulations under atmospheric pressure as well as under vacuum and a multilayer insulation for most high performances.It is shown theoretically, how the constants in the empirical function can be determined. Their calculation is demonstrated practically by using real measurements.For a multilayer insulation a theory is developed, with which a measured value can be extrapolated to other temperatures, gas pressures and numbers of layers. Its application to a real insulation system is demonstrated too.The results are listed in a tabular summary.     

Thermal conductivity of single and multi-stacked DI-BSCCO tapes

We have measured the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity, κ(T), for DI-BSCCO^® tapes fabricated by Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., which are (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_8+x tapes sheathed with Ag or Ag-Au alloy. The κ(T) of the tape sheathed with Ag (residual resistance ratio (RRR) = 15) decreases with decreasing temperature and starts to increase rapidly below 60 K, with a maximum at around 15 K. On the other hand, the κ(T) of the tape sheathed with Ag-5.4 wt%Au alloy has a very low value that decreases monotonically with decreasing temperature. At around 77 K, the absolute values of κ(T) for both tapes were about and , respectively. The κ(T) of a stacked sample, in which six DI-BSCCO tapes sheathed with Ag are soldered, was also measured. The measured κ(T) was fairly well reproduced by the estimated κ(T), which was calculated using the measured κ(T) of the single tape and solder.     

Effects of Sn,Ca additions on thermal conductivity of Mg matrix alloys

In the present work, the effects of Sn, Ca additions on thermal conductivity were investigated in as cast Mg–Sn–Ca alloys. The measured values of thermal conductivity of Mg–3Sn–xCa alloys obviously increased from 85.6 to 126.3?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the increasing Ca from 0 to 1.5?wt-%, and then decreased to 98.3?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the 2.5?wt-% Ca. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the Mg–Sn–Ca (Sn/Ca atomic ratio of 1) alloys decreased slightly from 154.2 to 132.1?W?m^??1?K^??1 with the increasing Sn, Ca. Meanwhile, the microstructures of the selected alloys were discussed in detail, suggesting that the solute atoms that caused lattice distortion had greater effect on thermal conductivity compared with the second phases formed in as cast Mg–Sn–Ca alloys.     

Thermal conductivity of subcooled liquid oxygen

The thermal conductivity of liquid oxygen below 80 K and pressures up to 1 MPa has been measured using a horizontal, guarded, flat-plate calorimeter. The working equation of the calorimeter is based on the one-dimensional Fourier’s law. The gap between the calorimeter plates was measured in situ from a capacitance measurement. The cooling power to the calorimeter is provided by a two-stage Gifford-McMahan cryocooler. The absolute temperatures are measured using platinum resistance thermometers. The results are compared to existing data and analytical models.     

Hardness and toughness investigations of deep cryogenic treated cold work die steel

In consideration of good results about the application of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on materials, the effect on the microstructure and properties (hardness, toughness and the content of retained austenite) of a new developed cold work die steel (Cr8Mo2SiV) was examined. The execution of the deep cryogenic treatment in different processes showed a varying effect on materials. It was shown that the hardness of the DCT specimens was higher (+0.5HRC to +2HRC) whereas the toughness was lower when compared with the conventionally treated specimens (quenching and tempering). Following the DCT process retained austenite transformed into martensite, however, not completely.     

热处理温度对二维高导热炭/炭复合材料结构及热导率的影响（英文）

以高导热沥青基炭纤维布为增强体,中间相沥青为黏结剂,采用热模压成型及液相浸渍裂解工艺增密,并经高温石墨化处理制备二维高导热炭/炭复合材料。利用X射线衍射仪和透射电子显微镜对经不同温度处理后的沥青基炭纤维及二维高导热炭/炭复合材料的结构和形貌变化进行表征,并考察石墨化处理温度对复合材料热导率的影响。结果表明,随着热处理温度的升高,纤维及复合材料内部石墨微晶尺寸增大、取向度变好,纤维与基体间界面结合紧密、裂纹减少,而基体碳层间裂纹则呈扩大趋势。此外,二维高导热炭/炭复合材料的热导率随热处理温度的升高而线性增加,经3 000℃处理后,材料热导率高达443 W/m·K。     

A shieldless method for cryogenic cold–vapor supply usage: Theory and practice

We have proven by numerical analysis and experiment that with the use of the SRDB developed shieldless method for cryogenic vapor usage maximum vapor–cold usage is achieved. It is shown that evaporation is decreased in cryovessels and cryostats by using this method equal to 45 times for helium, 5 times for hydrogen and 1.7 times for nitrogen.     

Fracture and deformation properties of Ni-Fe superalloy in cryogenic high magnetic field environments

The present paper includes experimental and analytical data on the fracture properties of a nickel-iron superalloy, a ferromagnetic austenite, at 4 K in magnetic fields of 0 and 6 T. The tensile, notch tensile and small punch tests are employed. A finite element analysis is also performed to convert the experimentally measured load-displacement data into useful engineering information. To interpret the results we review the available theory of the influence of magnetic field on the stress intensity factor for a crack in ferromagnetic materials.     

Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure, mechanical and wear behaviors of AISI H13 hot work tool steel

This paper focuses on the effects of low temperature (subzero) treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of H13 hot work tool steel. Cryogenic treatment at −72 °C and deep cryogenic treatment at −196 °C were applied and it was found that by applying the subzero treatments, the retained austenite was transformed to martensite. As the temperature was decreased more retained austenite was transformed to martensite and it also led to smaller and more uniform martensite laths distributed in the microstructure. The deep cryogenic treatment also resulted in precipitation of more uniform and very fine carbide particles. The microstructural modification resulted in a significant improvement on the mechanical properties of the H13 tool steel.     

Low temperature radiative properties of materials used in cryogenics

Radiative heat transfer between two parallel surfaces, a sample surface and a black surface, was measured. One of the surfaces was cooled with liquid helium to about 5 K and the other one was step by step heated to temperatures ranging between 30 and 140 K. As a result, the total hemispherical absorptivity and emissivity of the sample surface were determined in dependence on the temperature of the heat radiation. Aluminium samples were made of Al sheet, Al foil and aluminized mylar. Further measurements were performed on sheets of aluminium alloy, Cu, zinc brass and stainless steel. The influence of different types of sample treatment such as chemical and mechanical surface finishing and material annealing on the radiative properties is presented.     

Investigation on the internal thermal link of pulse tube refrigerators

Within a pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) in coaxial configuration the pulse tube is located inside the regenerator matrix in axial direction. An internal thermal contact between these two main components of the coldfinger occurs. The experimental investigation of the direction and the quantity of transferred heat is in focus of this paper. Intermediate cooling of the regenerator by the corresponding part of its own pulse tube can improve the cooling performance of a PTR. Therefore, a well-adapted geometrical arrangement between the pulse tube and the regenerator is essential, considering the temperature distribution inside the coldfinger. We deduce design parameters to optimise the configuration of coaxial PTRs.     

Very low temperature thermal conductivity of Kevlar 49

We measured the thermal conductivity of a Kevlar 49 in the temperature range. The data were fitted with a power-law: . Kevlar 49 is a candidate material for the supports of CUORE experiment.