Thermal Conductivity Testing and Measurement Services

Thermal conductivity depends on several factors, such as composition, density, porosity, moisture, microstructure, and temperature. Metals conduct heat efficiently, while porous materials like foams resist heat flow. In insulative materials, moisture raises conductivity because water has a much higher thermal conductivity than air — replacing trapped air with water increases heat transfer. The orientation of fillers (such as rods, tubes, spheres, etc.) can also create directional differences (anisotropy). Because of these influences, lab testing is vital for accurate data. C-Therm Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument lets users evaluate materials under real conditions, from building insulation to aerospace composites.

Temperature changes how materials transfer heat. In metals, conductivity usually decreases at higher temperatures because atomic vibrations interfere with electron flow. Ceramics and polymers may increase or decrease their thermal conductivities depending on their structure, particularly near melting or glass transition points.

Real-world conditions, such as frozen vs. thawed soils or operating vs. room-temperature polymers, can cause large shifts in conductivity. Depending on the method, C-Therm offers non-ambient testing solutions from -200°C up to 600°C. For example, TPS supports cryogenic and high-temperature testing up to 600°C, making it ideal for advanced materials and extreme environments. MTPS, while faster and simpler, operates from -55°C to 200°C. This range ensures engineers can gather accurate thermal data under actual operating conditions, improving design, simulation, and safety validation.

Materials like graphitic foils are known to exhibit thermal conductivity as high as 1800 W/mK, while metals like silver, copper, and aluminum are also highly conductive. These are used in electronics, cooking equipment, and aerospace components.

Aerogels are one of the most thermally insulative materials, with values as low as 0.013 W/m·K, which is lower than that of air (0.03 W/m·K). Textiles can also be engineered to feel cooler or warmer depending on conductivity and effusivity. C-Therm’s Trident system can test across this full range, from high-conductivity metals to fragile, ultralight insulators.

Thermal conductivity matters wherever heat transfer impacts performance, safety, or efficiency. Electronics need effective heat dissipation to avoid failures. Energy storage relies on safe thermal management. Building insulation reduces costs and emissions. Aerospace and automotive require lightweight yet thermally efficient materials.

Accurate measurements help reduce design risk, improve quality, and optimize performance. C-Therm instruments provide fast, user-friendly testing for research, development, and quality control.

Thermal conductivity measures how well a material transfers heat, while thermal diffusivity indicates how quickly it responds to temperature changes. Diffusivity is defined as conductivity divided by the product of density and specific heat capacity (α = k / ρCp).

Materials like copper have both high conductivity and diffusivity, making them excellent for rapid heat dissipation. Others, like water, store heat rather than transfer it quickly.

C-Therm’s FLEX TPS method measures both conductivity and diffusivity in a single test, giving engineers a complete thermal profile for accurate simulations and product design

The Transient Line Source (TLS) method uses a durable needle probe and is best suited for viscous liquids and polymer melts, where convection is less of a concern. It applies heat over a longer duration (typically 1–2 minutes), making it ideal for materials that flow slowly or have high thermal mass. TLS is also robust under high-pressure or elevated temperature conditions, such as molten polymers or reactive fluids.

The Transient Hot Wire (THW) method uses a thin platinum wire and delivers heat over a very short time (1–2 seconds), minimizing convection effects. This makes it ideal for low-viscosity fluids like aqueous solutions, solvents, lubricants, and coolants, where precision and speed are critical. THW is widely used in industries like automotive and electronics for characterizing heat transfer fluids.

While both methods are designed for liquids, the choice depends on viscosity, temperature range, and sensitivity to convection. C-Therm Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument offers both TLS and THW, giving users the flexibility to test a wide range of liquid materials accurately and efficiently.