Assessing the Impact of the Approximations Used in the Development of the Pulsed Laser Method for Measuring Thermal Diffusivity

Authors

Trevor Terrill, Brigham Young University
Dr. Matthew Jones, Brigham Young University

Keywords

pulsed laser method, measuring thermal diffusivity, FEHT, Finite Element Heat Transfer

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to conduct a rigorous investigation of each of the approximations made in the development of the pulsed laser method for measuring the thermal diffusivity. Thermal conductivity is an important engineering parameter, but measuring it directly is difficult. In common engineering practice, the thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and density are measured, and the thermal conductivity is calculated from these properties. The pulsed laser or flash method is commonly employed to measure the thermal diffusivity, but it contains many restrictive approximations that are difficult to satisfy in practice. This project investigated the significance of each of these approximations by quantifying the error in relaxing each of the approximations.

Recommended Citation

Terrill, Trevor and Jones, Dr. Matthew (2013) "Assessing the Impact of the Approximations Used in the Development of the Pulsed Laser Method for Measuring Thermal Diffusivity," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2020.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2020