ASTM E3088-25: New Standard Published for Hot Disk Transient Plane Source (TPS) Method – A Major Milestone for Thermal Analysis
Advancing materials research and quality control depends on accurate and repeatable thermal measurements. Barnett Technical Services, an Authorized Distributor of Hot Disk Thermal Analyzers, is excited to highlight a major milestone achieved by our valued partner, Hot Disk AB.
ASTM E3088-25: A New Global Standard for the Hot Disk Method
Hot Disk AB, headquartered in Sweden, has announced that the ASTM standard for the Hot Disk method has been officially published under the designation ASTM E3088-25 – Standard Test Methods for Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity Using a Double-Spiral Configuration of the Transient Plane Source Method.
This standard marks a significant achievement for use of the Hot Disk method and the wider thermophysical measurement community. It establishes an internationally recognized framework for accurately determining thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity using the transient plane source (TPS) technique.
Why This Matters
The publication of ASTM E3088-25 provides scientists, engineers, and materials researchers with a globally accepted method for measuring thermal transport properties. This is crucial for applications such as:
- Material design and thermal management
- Process and quality control
- Ranking materials by thermal performance
- Estimating operating temperature limits
The TPS method’s double-spiral configuration offers several advantages, including:
- Minimal sample preparation requirements
- Compatibility with a wide range of solid materials
- Rapid, repeatable measurements
- Capability to measure “at temperature,” avoiding errors caused by averaging across gradients found in steady-state methods
About the Standard
According to ASTM E3088-25:
- The method covers materials with thermal conductivity ranging from 0.05 to 500 W/mK and thermal diffusivity from 0.1 mm²/s to 100 mm²/s.
- Applicable to homogeneous isotropic and anisotropic solid materials across a temperature range of approximately 200 K to 600 K.
- Includes three test methods:
- Method A: Isotropic solid bulk specimens
- Method B: Anisotropic solids with uniaxial structure
- Method C: Isotropic thin slabs with higher thermal conductivity (1–5 W/mK and above)
About Hot Disk AB
Founded in 1995 in Sweden with roots going back more than 20 years earlier – Hot Disk AB develops world-leading scientific instruments for measuring thermophysical properties such as thermal conductivity, diffusivity, effusivity, and specific heat capacity.
Their Hot Disk Thermal Analyzers are recognized as the industry standard for measuring thermal transport properties in research, development, and quality control (QC).
With a diverse portfolio of instruments, Hot Disk systems offer flexibility through multiple sensor types, measurement modules, and accessories – enabling precise alignment with customer requirements across materials and industries.
Barnett Technical Services: Delivering Hot Disk Innovation and Expertise to the U.S. Market
As an Authorized Distributor of Hot Disk instruments, Barnett Technical Services proudly supports researchers, laboratories, and manufacturers across North America with:
- Expert consultation and application guidance
- Local sales and service support
- Training and demonstrations on Hot Disk systems
We congratulate the Hot Disk team and the international collaborators who helped make ASTM E3088-25 a reality – a step forward for standardization and innovation in thermal analysis.