Thermal Diffusivity Testing Services

Thermal diffusivity testing is done to determine the rate of heat transfer in a specimen from its hot end to its cold end. Thermal diffusivity is different from thermal conductivity, as it gives a measure of how much thermal energy a material can store and its ability to conduct thermal energy. It can be calculated by the following formula: 

There are different methods to measure the thermal diffusivity of a material:

• Laser Flash Method – Used for solids
• Hot Disc Transient Plane Source (TPS) Method – Used for solids, liquids, pastes, and powder
• Transient Hot Wire (THW) Method – Used for liquids and pastes
• Monotonic Heating (MMH) Method – Used for solids, pastes, and liquids

Thermal diffusivity can also be defined as a material’s thermal inertia. So if a material has a high value of thermal diffusivity, the rate of heat transfer through it will also be higher as it conducts heat relatively faster than its thermal bulk. Infinita Labs provides thermal diffusivity testing services to its clients in the USA and worldwide.

Video 01: Difference between thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity

Common Uses of Thermal Diffusivity Testing

• Used for selecting materials with optimal heat flow.
• Testing of insulators.

Testing Standards for Thermal Diffusivity Testing

• ASTM E1461
• ASTM D7896
• ASTM E2584
• ISO 22007

Materials Tested in Thermal Diffusivity Testing

• Metals & alloys
• Plastics & polymers
• Ceramics
• Nanofluids & colloids
• Graphite
• Liquids & mixtures