Thermal Constants Analyzers

Hot Disk Method to Measure Thermal Conductivity

The Hot Disk Thermal Constants Analyzer uses the TPS method with a disc-shaped sensor in contact with the sample surface. Heat applied to the sensor and the resulting temperature change determine the sample's thermal conductivity. The Hot Disk method also known as Transient Plane Source (TPS) method enables the simultaneous testing of Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity, and Specific Heat for a wide range of materials within a single measurement. Hot Disk TPS method eliminates the necessity for repetitive calibrations or reliance on standard samples. It offers flexibility allowing measurements on a wide range of samples (solids, liquids, powders, slurries) at temperatures ranging from liquid nitrogen to 1000ºC. Contact agents and surface modifications are unnecessary, making this approach highly adaptable and efficient for comprehensive thermal property analysis. The TPS method follows the guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard ISO 22007-2.

Key Features of Hot Disk Thermal Properties Analyzer

• Uniquely engineered to monitor ultra-short transient temperature readings, these thermal properties analyzers can handle thin samples and highly thermally conductive materials, achieving performance up to 1800 W/m/K.
• The Hot Disk thermal properties analyzers are shipped fully calibrated. You can rely on Hot Disk instruments without the hassle of recurring returns for external recalibration.
• The analyzer can accommodate an extensive array of sensors ranging from 0.5 mm to 30 mm in radius.

The direction of thermal properties (in and out of plane) may be discerned with the Hot Disk Anisotropy sampling module.Some of the most common Hot Disk TPS instruments include:

Hot Disk TPS 2500: The Hot Disk TPS 2500 is the standard R&D tool for many customers.  The system can measure Thermal Conductivities from 0.005 to 1800 W/m/K.
Hot Disk TPS 1000: The Hot Disk® TPS 1000 excels in QC testing, precisely measuring Thermal Transport Propertiesas an economical Thermal Conductivity and Specific Heat Capacity meter. It measures Thermal Conductivity from 0.01 to 500 W/m/K.
Hot Disk TPS 500: The Hot Disk TPS 500 measures Thermal Conductivity, Diffusivity, Effusivity, and Specific Heat Capacity in various materials. Ideal for QC testing, it handles samples a few millimeters thick with a range of 0.03 to 100 W/m/K.
Hot Disk TPS 1500: The budget-friendly Hot Disk TPS 1500 is perfect for testing thermal conductivity in large bulk samples like building or insulation materials. Covering a Thermal Conductivity range from 0.01 to 400 W/m/K, it can make measrements between -100°C to 750°C and handles samples a few millimeters thick.
Hot Disk TPS 2200: The Hot Disk TPS 2200 is an affordable, versatile R&D instrument for accurate Thermal Conductivity, Diffusivity, Effusivity, and Specific Heat Capacity measurement. It accommodates various sample geometries, including millimeter-thick bulk samples, measuring Thermal Conductivity from 0.01 to 500 W/m/K. Operating between -100°C to 750°C.
Hot Disk TPS 3500: The Hot Disk TPS 3500 sets the benchmark for testing Thermal Conductivity, Diffusivity, Effusivity, and Specific Heat Capacity in small, highly conductive samples. It surpasses all existing instruments, measuring Thermal Conductivity from 0.005 to 1800 W/m/K. Capable of handling 10-micrometer-thick slab samples and operating between cryogenic temperatures and 1000ºC, it uniquely analyzes anisotropic thermal transport in uniaxial and biaxial materials using specialized Hot Strip sensors.
Hot Disk M-1: The Hot Disk M1 is the most basic system for precise thermal conductivity measurements for testing solids, powders, and pastes in the 0.03 to 40 W/m/K range. It handles samples as thin as one centimeter and, operates between 10ºC to 40ºC.

Applications of Thermal Constants Analyzers

Thermal properties Analyzers (TPAs), also known as Thermal Constants Analyzers (TCAs), find a wide range of applications across various industries due to their ability to measure crucial thermal properties of materials accurately. Here are some common applications:

• Material Development: TCAs are extensively used in material science and research laboratories for studying and developing new materials. Understanding the thermal properties like thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat capacity helps in creating materials suitable for specific applications, such as in electronics, construction, aerospace, and more.
• Quality Control in Manufacturing: Industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and construction employ TCAs for quality control purposes. Ensuring consistent and desired thermal properties in materials used for manufacturing components is crucial for product performance and durability.
• Insulation and Building Materials: Testing the thermal properties of insulation materials helps in designing energy-efficient buildings. TCAs aid in determining the effectiveness of insulating materials by measuring their ability to resist heat. transfer.
• Electronics and Semiconductor Industry: Thermal management is critical in electronic devices. TCAs help in evaluating the thermal properties of materials used in heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and other components crucial for efficient heat dissipation in electronic devices.
• Energy Storage and Batteries: For energy storage applications, such as batteries, understanding the thermal behavior of materials is essential for safety and efficiency. TCAs assist in analyzing materials used in battery technologies to optimize their performance and safety by managing heat dissipation. Anisotropy measurements can provide critical details on the behavior of cells, and Hot Disk’s range of Cp cells allow for precise heat capacity measurements on a range of cell sizes and types.