Thermal conductivity of Inconel 718 and 304 stainless steel

The results of thermal conductivity measurements on Inconel 718 and 304 stainless steel by the comparative and flash diffusivity techniques are reported for the temperature range 0–700°C. For 304 stainless steel, excellent agreement with published data is found for the specific heat, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity. In the case of Inconel 718, the measurements show that the conductivity depends critically on the sample thermal history and the metallurgical condition of the alloy. Measurements on a solution-treated sample indicated a conductivity function close to that reported previously, while precipitated samples showed a higher conductivity, similar to the conductivityvs-temperature function used for reduction of comparative thermal conductivity data with Inconel 718 references. These results indicate that Inconel 718 is not a suitable reference for high-accuracy comparative thermal conductivity measurements unless its thermal history and associated conductivity function are known.     

The Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity, and Specific Heat of Liquid n-Pentane

The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of liquid n-pentane have been measured over the temperature range from 293 to 428 K at pressures from 3.5 to 35 MPa using a transient hot-wire instrument. It was determined that the results were influenced by fluid thermal radiation, and a new expression for this effect is presented. The uncertainty of the experimental results is estimated to be better than ±0.5% for thermal conductivity and ±2% for thermal diffusivity. The results, corrected for fluid thermal radiation, are correlated as functions of temperature and density with a maximum uncertainty of ±2% for thermal conductivity and ±4% for thermal diffusivity. Derived values of the isobaric specific heat are also given.     

The use of an explicit method of identifying objects to solve problems of nonstationary heat conduction

The theoretical principles of an explicit method of identifying multidimensional objects with nonstationary thermal conductivity are described. The solution of problems of measuring nonstationary heat flux and thermal conductivity in the range λ = 0.03–800 W/(m·K), the thermal conductivity of one of the materials of a double-layer system, the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity, and the combined “thermal conductivity and volume heat capacity” are presented. The results of investigations on thermal models are given. __________ Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 6, pp. 32–38, June, 2008.     

Thermophysical Properties of U–Mo/Al Alloy Dispersion Fuel Meats

Uranium–molybdenum alloy dispersion fuel meats are being studied for utilization as a research reactor fuel. Thermophysical properties of U–Mo/Al dispersion fuel, where U–Mo was dispersed in aluminum in research reactor fuel for the study, were determined by computing the thermal conductivity through measurements of the specific heat capacity and thermal diffusivity. Uranium molybdenum powder was first fabricated and utilized as U–Mo/Al dispersion fuel; the molybdenum-to-uranium ratios were 6, 8, and 10 mass% to produce the initial powder, which was then combined with aluminum (Al 1060). The volume fractions of U–Mo powder to aluminum were 10, 30, 40, and 50 vol.% to fabricate the dispersion fuel. The thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity were measured by the laser-flash and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods, respectively. Although the thermal diffusivity showed a decreasing trend with the U–Mo volume fraction when the dispersion quantity was insignificant, the trend reversed with a higher dispersion level. The specific heat capacity increases monotonically with temperature; its value is larger for a smaller dispersion level. Additionally, the overall thermal conductivity increases with temperature. Finally, the thermal conductivity decreases with an increase in the amount of U–Mo powder in the dispersion fuel. Paper presented at the Seventeenth European Conference on Thermophysical Properties, September 5–8, 2005, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.     

A High-Temperature Transient Hot-Wire Thermal Conductivity Apparatus for Fluids

A new apparatus for measuring both the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of fluids at temperatures from 220 to 775 K at pressures to 70 MPa is described. The instrument is based on the step-power-forced transient hot-wire technique. Two hot wires are arranged in different arms of a Wheatstone bridge such that the response of the shorter compensating wire is subtracted from the response of the primary wire. Both hot wires are 12.7 µm diameter platinum wire and are simultaneously used as electrical heat sources and as resistance thermometers. A microcomputer controls bridge nulling, applies the power pulse, monitors the bridge response, and stores the results. Performance of the instrument was verified with measurements on liquid toluene as well as argon and nitrogen gas. In particular, new data for the thermal conductivity of liquid toluene near the saturation line, between 298 and 550 K, are presented. These new data can be used to illustrate the importance of radiative heat transfer in transient hot-wire measurements. Thermal conductivity data for liquid toluene, which are corrected for radiation, are reported. The precision of the thermal conductivity data is ± 0.3% and the accuracy is about ±1%. The accuracy of the thermal diffusivity data is about ± 5%. From the measured thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, we can calculate the specific heat, C_p, of the fluid, provided that the density is measured, or available through an equation of state.     

The Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity and Isobaric Heat Capacity of Toluene and Argon

This paper presents absolute measurements for the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of toluene obtained with a transient hot-wire instrument employing coated wires over the density interval of 735 to 870 kgm^–3. A new expression for the influence of the wire coating is presented, and an examination of the importance of a nonuniform wire radius is verified with measurements on argon from 296 to 323 K at pressures to 61 MPa. Four isotherms were measured in toluene between 296 and 423 K at pressures to 35 MPa. The measurements have an uncertainty of less than ±0.5% for thermal conductivity and ±2% for thermal diffusivity. Isobaric heat capacity results, derived from the measured values of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, using a density determined from an equation of state, have an uncertainty of ±3% after taking into account the uncertainty of the applied equation of state. The measurements demonstrate that isobaric specific heat determinations can be obtained successfully with the transient hot wire technique over a wide range of fluid states provided density values are available.     

Measurement of thermal properties of liquids with an AC heated-wire technique

An apparatus for the simultaneous absolute measurement of the thermal activity, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity of nonconducting liquids with the AC heated-wire (strip) technique is described. The main advantage of this technique is that the temperature oscillations field can be confined around the sensor in a liquid layer thin enough to suppress the hydrodynamic currents. This leads to the elimination of the convective heat transport. Carrying measurements at different frequencies, the inertia of the sensor can be considered, and the radiative heat transport can be estimated for liquids with known optical properties. The apparatus was constructed and tested using six different liquids in a limited temperature range. The thermal properties of these liquids at 20°C are reported. The thermal conductivity data of toluene and n-heptane (recommended as proposed thermal conductivity standards) are given in the temperature range 10–40°C. Good agreement was found with data reported by other investigators at 20°C, but there is still a considerable discrepancy in the temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity.     

Intercomparison of Thermophysical Property Measurements on an Austenitic Stainless Steel

The results of an inter laboratory comparison of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and thermal expansion measurements on austenitic stainless steel in the temperature range between 20 and 1000°C are presented here. Mean values are presented for the physical properties studied. Reliable relative expanded uncertainties can be stated for the properties determined, which were achieved by applying good measurement practice, i.e., 3% for thermal expansion, 5% for specific heat capacity and thermal diffusivity, and 6% for thermal conductivity. The mean values derived from this intercomparison agree well with the results of a previous intercomparison in 1990. An erratum to this article is availabale at .     

Photopyroelectric Determination of the Order of Liquid Crystal Phase Transitions

The photopyroelectric technique has been used to measure simultaneously the specific heat, the thermal conductivity, and the thermal diffusivity of 9CB liquid crystal in the temperature range 35 to 60°C, where the sample undergoes a weakly first-order phase transition and a second-order one. Measurements of the anisotropy of the thermal conductivity have also been performed, and the data have been used to establish the order of the above-mentioned phase transitions. Pretransitional effects in the isotropic phase in the thermal diffusivity have been found, and they have been associated with similar effects reported for the specific heat.     

Radiative heat exchange method for thermal conductivity measurement applying a perpendicular heat flow to a thin-plate sample: Principle and apparatus

To measure thermal conductivity of materials of low conductivity (0.1 to 1 W·m^–1·K^–1), a method using a specimen of small size (2×25×25 mm) has been developed. This method applies a well-defined, steady, and uniform heat flux perpendicular to the surface of a small plate sample of polymers or ceramics jointly by means of radiative heat exchange as well as by an areal heater on the sample surface and allows a reasonably rapid (5-min) measurement of thermal conductivity. This method of measuring conductivity is an absolute and direct measurement method which does not need any standard reference materials or information about heat capacity. The principle of the method has been demonstrated by constructing a measurement apparatus and measuring thermal conductivity of a few materials. The thermal conductivities of silicone rubber and Pyrex (Corning 7740) glass measured by the present method between 30 and 90°C are compared with recommended values.     

Thermal Conductivity,Thermal Diffusivity,and Heat Capacity of Gaseous Argon and Nitrogen

Low-pressure thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity measurements are reported for argon and nitrogen in the temperature range from 295 to 350 K at pressures from 0.34 to 6.9 MPa using an absolute transient hot-wire instrument. Thermal conductivity measurements were also made with the same instrument in its steady-state mode of operation. The measurements are estimated to have an uncertainty of 1% for the transient thermal conductivity, 3% for the steady-state thermal conductivity, and 4% for thermal diffusivity. The values of isobaric specific heat, derived from the measured thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, are considered accurate to 5% although this is dependent upon the uncertainty of the equation of state utilized.Paper presented at the Sixteenth European Conference on Thermophysical Properties, September 1–4, 2002, London, United Kingdom     

Thermal conductivity,heat capacity,and thermal diffusivity of selected commercial AlN substrates

The thermal transport properties of four commercially available AlN substrates have been investigated using a combination of steady-state and transient techniques. Measurements of thermal conductivity using a guarded longitudinal heat flow apparatus are in good agreement with published room temperature data (in the range 130–170 W · m^–1 · K^–1). Laser flash diffusivity measurements combined with heat capacity data yielded anomalously low results. This was determined to be an experimental effect for which a method of correction is presented. Low-temperature measurements of thermal conductivity and heat capacity are used to probe the mechanisms that limit the thermal conductivity in AlN.Paper presented at the Tenth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 20–23, 1988, Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.     

Theoretical considerations of the effects of rapid heating of solids on their apparent thermal properties

The conditions are investigated for thermal properties to change from their normal values when solids are heated very rapidly. The properties considered are specific heat, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity. Over times which may be as long as a microsecond, the heated solid is unable to expand: the appropriate values of specific heat and thermal conductivity are then those at constant volume rather than constant pressure. In those alloys where thermal equilibrium requires diffusion, its establishment is delayed, and if solids do not have time to expand, the diffusion coefficient is reduced. For heating times below nanoseconds, the electrons and the lattice may be at different temperatures, particularly if the energy is initially imparted to the electrons. The temperature of the electron gas of metals may then approach the degenerary temperature. The apparent specific heat of a decoupled system departs from the steady-state value in a manner which depends on how temperature is measured. In such a decoupled system the concepts of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity must be used with care.Paper presented at the First Workshop on Subsecond Thermophysics, June 20–21, 1988, Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.     

The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of gaseous argon

This paper presents new absolute measurements of the thermal conductivity and of the thermal diffusivity of gaseous argon obtained with a transient hot-wire instrument. We measured seven isotherms in the supercritical dense gas at temperatures between 157 and 324 K with pressures up to 70 MPa and densities up to 32 mol · L^–1 and five isotherms in the vapor at temperatures between 103 and 142 K with pressures up to the saturation vapor pressure. The instrument is capable of measuring the thermal conductivity with an accuracy better than 1% and thermal diffusivity with an accuracy better than 5%. Heat capacity results were determined from the simultaneously measured values of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity and from the density calculated from measured values of pressure and temperature from an equation of state. The heat capacities presented in this paper, with a nominal accuracy of 5%, prove that heat capacity data can be obtained successfully with the transient hot wire technique over a wide range of fluid states. The technique will be invaluable when applied to fluids which lack specific heat data or an adequate equation of state.     

Intercomparison of Measurements of the Thermophysical Properties of Polymethyl Methacrylate

Results of an intercomparison of measurements of thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and density of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in the temperature range between –70°C and +80°C are presented. The purpose of this comparison is to investigate the variability of the results among guarded hot-plate (GHP) and guarded heat-flow meter (GHF) techniques on the one hand and among GHP/GHF and other measuring instruments on the other. The primary objectives are to characterize the material properties mentioned and to quantify the effects of thermal contact resistances and temperature measurements. With regard to future use of PMMA as a reference material, reference data for the thermal conductivity are derived.     

A study of the thermal conductivity of alumina/glass dispersed composites

The thermal diffusivity of five groups of alumina/glass composite systems has been measured at room temperature using a laser flash system. These data have been used, in conjunction with specific heat and density measurements, to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of these composites. In each of the five groups a systematic variation in glass concentration was made, and each group represents systematic variations in glass and alumina particle sizes. The thermal conductivities calculated are compared with those predicted by four models. It is apparent from these comparisons that the geometry and orientation of porosity within the sample measured are a key factor in determining which of these models (if any) is appropriate for describing the thermal conductivity of these composites.Paper presented at the Tenth Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, June 20–23, 1988, Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.A.     

Low temperature specific heat of cry-con grease

The specific heat of Cry-Con grease, a copper loaded electrically insulating grease, was measured between 0.5 and 20 K. The low specific heat and high thermal conductivity of Cry-Con grease render it a useful thermal bonding material for calorimetric measurements on samples with low thermal conductivity.     

Measurement of thermal properties of iron oxide pellets

The thermal properties of iron oxide pellets of different porosity and prepared by reduction at different rates were investigated in the range of room temperature to about 800°C. The thermal diffusivity a was measured by a laser flash method and the specific heat C _p was measured by adiabatic scanning calorimetry. The thermal conductivity was calculated from the relation =aC p, where is the density of the specimen.For nonreduced iron oxide pellets, the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity decreased with increase in temperature and porosity. The specific heat increased with increasing temperature and there was a transformation point at which the specific heat reached a maximum. In prereduced iron oxide pellets, the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity were very small compared with the nonreduced pellets and they gradually increased with increasing temperature. The specific heat had a minimum and a maximum at about 300 and 600°C, respectively, and the scale of these features became smaller with increase in the reduction rate.Paper presented at the Fourth Japan Symposium on Thermophysical Properties, October 20–22, 1983, Yokohama, Japan.     

Thermal properties of small Pb spheres at low temperatures

The specific heat and thermal conductivity of 0.10-mm- and 0.34-mmdiameter spheres of Pb are reported (2–30 K). The former spheres are 99.99% Pb, the latter spheres are Pb + 5% Sb. Both types of spheres undergo a superconducting transition at 7 K, and the changes in the specific heats at the transition correlate well with the electronic coefficient determined for bulk Pb. The 5% Sb addition increases the specific heat by as much as 30%, due to an enhancement of the localized, non-Debye excitations present in pure Pb. The Debye temperatures of the spheres are 102–103 K. The thermal conductivities of packed columns of the spheres are due to lattice rather than electron transport and are about 10³ times smaller than the thermal conductivity of bulk superconducting Pb. The 0.34-mm-diameter spheres have double the thermal conductivity of the 0.10-mm-diameter spheres, in contrast to the predictions of the elastic theory of Chan and Tien. An oxide layer may be the cause of the additional thermal resistance of the smaller spheres. T ³ boundary scattering occurs below 3 K for both sphere sizes and is consistent with specific heat and elastic-constant data for bulk Pb.Supported in part by the Jet Propulsion Lab., Contract No. 955446.     

Ca2YO(BO3)3晶体的热物理性质研究

测量了新型非线性激光晶体Ca2YO(BO3)3（YCOB）的比热及其沿a,b,c三个方向的热膨胀系数，热扩散系数，导热系数，声子平均自由程和等效声速等热物理性质；讨论了属于单斜晶系的YCOB晶体的热物性的各向异性行为；实验结果表明YCOB晶体具有较大的比热和导热系数，其热膨胀系数各向异性相对较小，具有良好的热物理和力学性能。