Stepwise and Pulse Transient Methods of Thermophysical Parameters Measurement

Stepwise transient and pulse transient methods are experimental techniques for measuring the thermal diffusivity and conductivity of solid materials. Theoretical models and experimental apparatus are presented, and the influence of the heat source capacity and the heat transfer coefficient is investigated using the experiment simulation. The specimens from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were measured by both methods. Coefficients of variation were better than 0.9 % for LDPE and 2.8 % for PMMA measurements. The time dependence of the temperature response to the input heat flux showed a small drop, which was caused by thermoelastic wave generated by thermal expansions of the heat source.