Thermal performance of functionally graded parabolic annular fins having constant weight

The proposed work reports the performance of parabolic annular fins of constant weight made of functionally graded materials. The work involves computation of temperature gradient, efficiency and effectiveness of such fins and compares the performances for different functionally graded parabolic fin profiles obtained by varying grading parameters and profile parameters respectively keeping the weight of the fins constant. The functional grading of thermal conductivity is based on a power function of radial co-ordinate which consists of parameters, namely grading parameters, varying which different grading combinations are studied. A general second order ordinary differential equation has been derived for all the profiles and material grading. The efficiency and effectiveness of the annular fins of different profile and grading combinations have been calculated and plotted and the results reveal the dependence of fin performance on profile and grading parameter.