Development of instrument for measuring thermic diffusivity of materials by the energy pulse method

• Grant number: 01/08406-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2002
• End date: December 31, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Metallurgical Equipment and Facilities
• Principal Investigator: Thomaz Augusto Guisard Restivo
• Grantee: Thomaz Augusto Guisard Restivo
• Company: Metaltech Sorocaba Equipamentos e Serviços Ltda
• City: Sorocaba

Abstract

The project aims to develop an instrument for the measurement and evaluation of the thermal diffusivity and conductivity of materials with a view to its commercial exploitation. The technique to be employed uses a pulse of energy, in this case a visible light (flash) of brief duration, striking the face of a discoid sample, established at a certain temperature in the range of 20-1200oC. A temperature sensor records the progression of this on the sample’s opposite face in terms of time (thermogram). The data is collected and transferred to a piece of software which develops the routine for the determination of thermic diffusivity using the thermic quadrupole method. In the first phase of the project a prototype was set up for the ambient temperature with an option up to 60°C. The results were compared for some materials, using the existing laser pulse instrument in the Materials Laboratory in the Navy Technology Center in São Paulo (LABMAT -CTMSP). Phase 2 of the project involves the consolidation of the instrument as a commercial product, including the physical set-up of the components, conception and construction of the control panel, automatic acquisition system and adaptation of the analytical software. A heating oven will be added to the system which will make it possible to analyze thermic diffusivity in different isotherms, in addition to establishing the maximum temperature at which the instrument can be used. An infrared sensor will be evaluated along with thermopair sensors. Operating, control and analysis software will be developed aiming to automate the test. Other applications of the system, with the simultaneous determination of thermic capacity and evaluation of conductivity are also envisaged. (AU)