The Hot Disk system is based on the Transient Plane Source (TPS) method which is one of the most precise and convenient techniques for studying thermal transport properties. This technique is capable of measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and volume specific heat simultaneously. The Hot Disk sensor is usually sandwiched between two pieces of sample during measurement. The sensor consists of an electrically conducting pattern in the shape of a double spiral which is laminated between two thin sheets of insulating material (Kapton, Mica, etc.). The sensor is used both as a heat source and as a dynamic temperature sensor.

Features:

• Seven sensors (both in Kapton and Mica) with radius from 0.492 mm to 29.40 mm to accommodate different sample size (typically 1 to 10 cm³)
• Thermal conductivity can be measured from 0.01 W/m K to 400 W/m K
• Temperature range from -190^oC to 900^oC
• Actual components can be measured using single-side method
• Advanced software for data acquisition and analysis
• Portable system using a lap-top computer

Applications:

The hot disk system can be used to measure thermal properties of a variety of materials, especially low conductivity ceramics, plastics, powders and granular materials such as sands. Many of these materials are difficult to measure using the flash diffusivity technique due to transparency in the infrared spectrum and high porosity. Some typical materials that have been measured are: high Tc superconductors, glasses, refractories, casting sand, metal alloys, composites, polystyrene, bricks, liquids and biomaterials.