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Building Efficiency TAC

Heat Flow Meter

In-Lab Thermal Conductivity Testing

Description

A measurement of thermal conductivity is an indicator of the ability of a material to conduct heat and can be critical for defining energy efficiency and thermal performance in materials. BETAC utilizes the Netzsch Heat Flow Meter (HFM) 446 Lambda Series Heat Flow Meter method for thermal conductivity and thermal resistance measurement, with the additional capability of measuring the specific heat capacity of materials. The equipment was designed and engineered to provide rapid results with a combination of high accuracy, repeatability, and a wide temperature range.

Features and Benefits

Thermal Conductivity Measurements

  • On insulating materials, polymers, phase-change materials, aerogels, non-wovens, and many more 

Easy and fast set up

  • Factory calibrated with certified reference materials (NIST SRM 1450d)

Best Test Conditions

  • Closed test chamber minimizes influence of the environment and reduces condensation risks

From Lower to Higher Conductivities

  • The use of external thermocouples extends the thermal conductivity range to a higher level

“Drive- to-thickness” Feature

  • Variable external load for precise measurements on compressible materials and thus density of compressible materials

Measurement of specific heat capacity (cp)

  •  Based on step method

Increased accuracy

  • Possibility to combine single heat flux calibrations using HFT (Heat Flux Transducer) MultiCalibration

Technical Specifications

MinimumMaximumUnits
Equipment
Temperature-30 (-22)90 (194)°C (°F)
Setpoints110N/A
Sample Size
Width300 (11.8)305 (12)mm (inches)
Depth300 (11.8)305 (12)mm (inches)
Thickness105mm (inches)
Thermal Conductivity0.002 (0.00116)2.000 (1.16)W/m∙K (BTU/(h∙ft∙°F)

Testing Standards

StandardDescription
ASTM C518Steady State Thermal Transmission
ASTM C1784Thermal Transmission Properties of Phase Change Materials
ISO 8301Thermal insulation — Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties — Heat flow meter apparatus
DIN EN 12664 (not HFM Large)Thermal performance of building materials and products – Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods – Dry and moist products with medium and low thermal resistance
DIN EN 12667Thermal performance of building materials and products – Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods – Products of high and medium thermal resistance
JIS A1412Test method for thermal resistance and related properties of thermal insulations – Part 1: Guarded hot plate apparatus

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