ASTM E1461-11

Standard Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Thermal diffusivity is an important property, required for such purposes under transient heat flow conditions, such as design applications, determination of safe operating temperature, process control, and quality assurance.
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..
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).
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 10-7 to 10-3 m2·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 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, and isotropic solid materials that are opaque to the applied energy pulse. Experience has shown, however, 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.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.
1.9 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: 30-Nov-2011
• ICS: 17.200.10 - Heat. Calorimetry
• Technical Committee: E37 - Thermal Measurements
• Drafting Committee: E37.05 - Thermophysical Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1461-07 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B883-19 - Standard Specification for Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8157-19 - Standard Guide for Qualification Testing of Coatings Used in Coating Service Level I in Nuclear Power Plants
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1783-15 - Standard Guide for Development of Specifications for Fiber Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Composite Structures for Nuclear Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM B1015-20 - Standard Practice for Form and Style of Standards Relating to Refined Nickel and Cobalt and Their Alloys
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1470-20 - Standard Guide for Testing the Thermal Properties of Advanced Ceramics
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D4762-18 - Standard Guide for Testing Polymer Matrix Composite Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C781-20 - Standard Practice for Testing Graphite Materials for Gas-Cooled Nuclear Reactor Components
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1793-15 - Standard Guide for Development of Specifications for Fiber Reinforced Silicon Carbide-Silicon Carbide Composite Structures for Nuclear Applications
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D5144-08(2021) - Standard Guide for Use of Protective Coating Standards in Nuclear Power Plants
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1671-20a - Standard Practice for Qualification and Acceptance of Boron Based Metallic Neutron Absorbers for Nuclear Criticality Control for Dry Cask Storage Systems and Transportation Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2585-09(2022) - Standard Practice for Thermal Diffusivity by the Flash Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7775-21 - Standard Guide for Measurements on Small Graphite Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C714-17 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity of Carbon and Graphite by Thermal Pulse Method
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2011

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 − 11
StandardTest 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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.8 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is
imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthethermal
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
diffusivity of primarily homogeneous isotropic solid materials.
-7 -3 2 -1
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Thermal diffusivity values ranging from 10 to 10 m ·s are
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measurable by this test method from about 75 to 2800K.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 Practice E2585 is adjunct to this Test Method and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
contains detailed information regarding the use of the flash
method. The two documents are complementing each other.
2. Referenced Documents
2
1.3 ThistestmethodisamoredetailedformofTestMethod
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C714, having applicability to much wider ranges of materials,
C714Test Method for Thermal Diffusivity of Carbon and
applications, and temperatures, with improved accuracy of
Graphite by Thermal Pulse Method
measurements.
E228Test Method for Linear Thermal Expansion of Solid
Materials With a Push-Rod Dilatometer
1.4 This test method is intended to allow a wide variety of
E2585PracticeforThermalDiffusivitybythe FlashMethod
apparatus designs. It is not practical in a test method of this
typetoestablishdetailsofconstructionandprocedurestocover
3. Terminology
all contingencies that might offer difficulties to a person
without pertinent technical knowledge, or to stop or restrict
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
research and development for improvements in the basic
3.1.1 thermal conductivity, λ, of a solid material—the time
technique.
rate of steady heat flow through unit thickness of an infinite
slab of a homogeneous material in a direction perpendicular to
1.5 This test method is applicable to the measurements
the surface, induced by unit temperature difference. The
performed on essentially fully dense (preferably, but low
property must be identified with a specific mean temperature,
porosity would be acceptable), homogeneeous, and isotropic
since it varies with temperature.
solid materials that are opaque to the applied energy pulse.
3.1.2 thermal diffusivity, α, of a solid material—theproperty
Experience has shown, however, that some deviation from
givenbythethermalconductivitydividedbytheproductofthe
these strict guidelines can be accommodated with care and
density and heat capacity per unit mass.
proper experimental design, substantially broadening the use-
fulness of the method.
3.2 Description of Symbols and Units Specific to This
Standard:
1.6 This test method can be considered an absolute (or
3.2.1 D—diameter, m.
primary)methodofmeasurement,sincenoreferencestandards
-1 -1
are required. It is advisable to use reference materials to verify 3.2.2 C —specific heat capacity, J·kg ·K ).
p
the performance of the instrument used.
3.2.3 k—constant depending on percent rise.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.4 K—correction factors.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.5 K,K —constants depending on β.
1 2
standard.
3.2.6 L—specimen thickness, m.
3.2.7 t—response time, s.
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 Dec. 1, 2011. Published February 2012. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1461–07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1461-11. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1461 − 11
1
3.2.8 t ⁄2 —half-rise time or time required for the rear face
temperature rise to reach one half of its maximum value, s.
2
3.2.9 t*—dimensionless time (t*=4α t/D ).
s T
3.2.10 T—temperature, K.
2 -1
3.2.11 α—thermal diffusivity, m ·s .
3.2.12 β—fractionofpulsedurationrequiredtoreachmaxi-
mum intensity.
-3
3.2.13 ρ—density, kg·m .
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1461–07 Designation:E1461–11
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.Anumber 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
Thermal diffusivity values ranging from 10 to 10 m /s are measurable by this test method from about 75 to 2800K.
-1
1.2This test method is a more detailed form of Test Method ·s are measurable by this test method from about 75 to 2800K.
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.
1.3This1.4 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.
1.4This1.5 Thistestmethodisapplicabletothemeasurementsperformedonessentiallyfullydense(preferably,butlowporosity
would be acceptable), homogeneeous, and isotropic solid materials that are opaque to the specimen of applied energy pulse.
Experience has shown, however, that some deviation from these strict guidelines can be accommodated with care and proper
experimental design, substantially broadening the usefulness of the method.
1.5This1.6 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.
1.6The1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.7For1.8 For systems employing lasers as power sources, it is imperative that the safety requirement be fully met.met.
1.81.9 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 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, l, 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.
3.1.2 thermal diffusivity, a, 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, meters. —diameter, m.
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 Nov.Dec. 1, 2007.2011. Published January 2008.February 2012. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
E1461–017. DOI: 10.1520/E1461-07.10.1520/E1461-11.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] 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
...