ASTM E1461-13

Standard Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Thermal diffusivity is an important transient thermal property, required for such purposes such as design applications, determination of safe operating temperature, process control, and quality assurance.  
5.2 The flash method is used to measure values of thermal diffusivity, α, of a wide range of solid materials. It is particularly advantageous because of simple specimen geometry, small specimen size requirements, rapidity of measurement and ease of handling.  
5.3 Under certain strict conditions, specific heat capacity of a homogeneous isotropic opaque solid specimen can be determined when the method is used in a quantitative fashion (see Appendix X2).  
5.4 Thermal diffusivity results, together with related values of specific heat capacity (Cp) and density (ρ) values, can be used in many cases to derive thermal conductivity (λ), according to the relationship:
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal diffusivity of primarily homogeneous isotropic solid materials. Thermal diffusivity values ranging from 0.1 to 1000 (mm)2 s-1 are measurable by this test method from about 75 to 2800 K.  
1.2 Practice E2585 is adjunct to this test method and contains detailed information regarding the use of the flash method. The two documents are complementing each other.  
1.3 This test method is a more detailed form of Test Method C714, having applicability to much wider ranges of materials, applications, and temperatures, with improved accuracy of measurements.  
1.4 This test method is intended to allow a wide variety of apparatus designs. It is not practical in a test method of this type to establish details of construction and procedures to cover all contingencies that might offer difficulties to a person without pertinent technical knowledge, or to restrict research and development for improvements in the basic technique.  
1.5 This test method is applicable to the measurements performed on essentially fully dense (preferably, but low porosity would be acceptable), homogeneous, and isotropic solid materials that are opaque to the applied energy pulse. Experience shows that some deviation from these strict guidelines can be accommodated with care and proper experimental design, substantially broadening the usefulness of the method.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.7 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.  
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2013
• ICS: 17.200.10 - Heat. Calorimetry
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.05 - Thermophysical Properties

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1461 − 13
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1461; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthethermal 2.1 ASTM Standards:
diffusivity of primarily homogeneous isotropic solid materials. C714 Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity of Carbon and
2 -1
Thermal diffusivity values ranging from 0.1 to 1000 (mm) s Graphite by Thermal Pulse Method
are measurable by this test method from about 75 to 2800 K. E228 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid
Materials With a Push-Rod Dilatometer
1.2 Practice E2585 is adjunct to this test method and
E2585 Practice for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
contains detailed information regarding the use of the flash
method. The two documents are complementing each other.
3. Terminology
1.3 This test method is a more detailed form ofTest Method
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
C714, having applicability to much wider ranges of materials,
3.1.1 thermal conductivity, λ, of a solid material—the time
applications, and temperatures, with improved accuracy of
rate of steady heat flow through unit thickness of an infinite
measurements.
slab of a homogeneous material in a direction perpendicular to
1.4 This test method is intended to allow a wide variety of
the surface, induced by unit temperature difference. The
apparatus designs. It is not practical in a test method of this
property must be identified with a specific mean temperature,
typetoestablishdetailsofconstructionandprocedurestocover
since it varies with temperature.
all contingencies that might offer difficulties to a person
3.1.2 thermal diffusivity, α, of a solid material—the property
without pertinent technical knowledge, or to restrict research
givenbythethermalconductivitydividedbytheproductofthe
and development for improvements in the basic technique.
density and heat capacity per unit mass.
1.5 This test method is applicable to the measurements
3.2 Description of Symbols and Units Specific to This
performed on essentially fully dense (preferably, but low
Standard:
porosity would be acceptable), homogeneous, and isotropic
3.2.1 D—diameter, m.
solid materials that are opaque to the applied energy pulse.
-1 -1
3.2.2 C —specific heat capacity, J·g ·K .
p
Experience shows that some deviation from these strict guide-
lines can be accommodated with care and proper experimental 3.2.3 k—constant depending on percent rise.
design, substantially broadening the usefulness of the method.
3.2.4 K—correction factors.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.5 K,K —constants depending on β.
1 2
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.6 L—specimen thickness, mm.
standard.
3.2.7 t—response time, s.
1.7 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is
3.2.8 t —half-rise time or time required for the rear face
1/2
imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.
temperature rise to reach one half of its maximum value, s.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2
3.2.9 t*—dimensionless time (t*=4α t/D ).
s T
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.10 T—temperature, K.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.11 α—thermal diffusivity, (mm) /s.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.12 β—fraction of pulse duration required to reach maxi-
mum intensity.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE37onThermal
Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.05 on Thermo-
2
physical Properties. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1461 – 11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1461-13. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1461 − 13
3
3.2.13 ρ—density, g/(cm) .
-1 -1
3.2.14 λ—thermal conductivity, W·m ·K .
1 1
3.2.15 ∆t —T(5t ⁄2)/T(t ⁄2 ).
5
1 1
3.2.16 ∆t —T(10t ⁄2)/T(t ⁄2 ).
10
3.2.17 ∆T —temperature difference between baseline and
max
maximum rise, K.
3.2.18 τ—pul
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1461 − 11 E1461 − 13
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1461; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal diffusivity of primarily homogeneous isotropic solid materials.
-7 -3 2 -1
Thermal diffusivity values ranging from 100.1 to 101000 m(mm) ·s s are measurable by this test method from about 75 to
2800 K.
1.2 Practice E2585 is adjunct to this Test Methodtest method and contains detailed information regarding the use of the flash
method. The two documents are complementing each other.
1.3 This test method is a more detailed form of Test Method C714, having applicability to much wider ranges of materials,
applications, and temperatures, with improved accuracy of measurements.
1.4 This test method is intended to allow a wide variety of apparatus designs. It is not practical in a test method of this type
to establish details of construction and procedures to cover all contingencies that might offer difficulties to a person without
pertinent technical knowledge, or to stop or restrict research and development for improvements in the basic technique.
1.5 This test method is applicable to the measurements performed on essentially fully dense (preferably, but low porosity would
be acceptable), homogeneeous,homogeneous, and isotropic solid materials that are opaque to the applied energy pulse. Experience
has shown, however, shows that some deviation from these strict guidelines can be accommodated with care and proper
experimental design, substantially broadening the usefulness of the method.
1.6 This test method can be considered an absolute (or primary) method of measurement, since no reference standards are
required. It is advisable to use reference materials to verify the performance of the instrument used.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C714 Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity of Carbon and Graphite by Thermal Pulse Method
E228 Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid Materials With a Push-Rod Dilatometer
E2585 Practice for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 thermal conductivity, λ, of a solid material—the time rate of steady heat flow through unit thickness of an infinite slab of
a homogeneous material in a direction perpendicular to the surface, induced by unit temperature difference. The property must be
identified with a specific mean temperature, since it varies with temperature.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E37 on Thermal Measurements and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E37.05 on
Thermophysical Properties.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2011Sept. 1, 2013. Published February 2012October 2013. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20072011
as E1461 – 07.E1461 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/E1461-11.10.1520/E1461-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1461 − 13
3.1.2 thermal diffusivity, α, of a solid material—the property given by the thermal conductivity divided by the product of the
density and heat capacity per unit mass.
3.2 Description of Symbols and Units Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 D—diameter, m.
-1 -1
3.2.2 C —specific heat capacity, J·kgJ·g ·K ).
p
3.2.3 k—constant depending on percent rise.
3.
...