Effective Thermal Conductivity Determination for Low-Density Insulating Materials

摘要

A nonlinear least squares technique has been used to determine effective thermal conductivity values using experimental data for a low-density insulating material. A comparison of the analytically predicted conductivity with values obtained from standard guarded-hot-plate tests indicates that the predicted values can be used with confidence in performing thermal analyses. An assessment of the predicted thermal conductivity, from a statistical view point, and of its effect on the thermal response of the material was performed and is discussed herein. Results of this investigation demonstrate that thermal conductivity values can be routinely predicted using analytical methods rather than being obtained through expensive, time-consuming standard guarded-hot-plate tests.