Thermal Effusivity Reference Values as a Function of Temperature

Abstract

Quality initiatives, such as ISO 17025, require analytical laboratories to calibrate instruments annually using certified and traceable reference materials [1]. Unfortunately, no such materials are available for the derived thermophysical parameter of thermal effusivity, a quantitative proxy for the haptic property of surface “warmth.†A program is underway within ASTM International to develop consensus thermal effusivity values for several materials from 0.04 to 37 kW s1/2 m-2 K-1 over the temperature range of -50 to 200 °C. Thermal effusivity values for 23 metals, ceramics, polymers, and liquids are derived by meta-analysis from the “best available†values found in the literature for thermal conductivity, density, specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity.