Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity is a material property that describes how efficiently heat moves through a material. Materials with high thermal conductivity transfer heat quickly, while materials with low thermal conductivity slow the movement of heat and are often used for thermal insulation. In practical terms, thermal conductivity helps determine how well a material can retain heat, dissipate heat, or protect surrounding areas from temperature changes. This property is especially important when selecting materials for kilns, furnaces, insulation systems, refractories, and other high-temperature applications.

Thermal conductivity can vary depending on the material’s composition, density, porosity, and operating temperature. Because of this, conductivity values are often evaluated under specific temperature conditions to ensure accurate material performance data.

To support a wide range of thermal conductivity testing needs, The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation has you covered with testing instruments for established methods including ASTM C201 and ASTM C1113. We also offer advanced thermal analysis solutions from Hot Disk and Advance Riko LFA, helping customers measure material performance with confidence across laboratory, quality control, and research applications.

Calorimeter Method

The thermal conductivity of refractories is a property required for selecting their thermal transmission characteristics. Users select refractories to provide specified conditions of heat loss and cold face temperature, without exceeding the temperature limitation of the refractory. This test method establishes the testing for thermal conductivity of refractories using the calorimeter.

Calorimeter

C201-1500
Max Temp 1500°C

This procedure requires a large thermal gradient and steady state conditions. The results are based upon a mean temperature.

The data from this test method are suitable for specification acceptance, and design of multi-layer refractory construction.

Hot Wire Method

The hot wire technique is a transient, intermittent isothermal method for measuring thermal conductivity. A thin platinum wire is placed between two appropriately prepared 9" bricks of same density. Heat generated by current applied to the wire is conducted away from the wire at a rate dependent on the thermal conductivity of the material.

Hot Wire

TCH-16
Max Temp 1650°C

The Model TCH-16 Hot Wire system measures the thermal conductivity of a single sample of refractory material with a thermal conductivity up to 15 W/mK at temperatures between ambient and up to 1650°C in air. The 4 sample furnace (9 inch brick samples) is lined with high purity ceramic fiber and is heated with molybdenum disilicide heating elements, and controlled with a type "S thermocouple. Operated according to ASTM C-1113

Hot Disk Transient Plane Source (TPS) Method

Hot Disk TPS technique is a quick and easy way to determine thermal conducitvity and thermal diffusivity of your material from a single measurement, which also provides you with a volumetric heat capacity based on the relationship between these thermal properties. To learn more, click here.

HotDisk TPS

Thermal conductivity

Thermal diffusivity

Heat capacity