Design and Manufacture of Thermal Conductivity Apparatus

Thermal conductivity is a key property in materials engineering, influencing how materials are classified and used. Accurate measurement of this material property is key in many industries, such as construction, electronics, and aerospace, where both thermal insulation and conduction are key properties. This research focused on the design of equipment used to test this material property, specifically using the guarded hot plate method of testing. The project established the underlying theoretical framework behind the measurement process. Although the apparatus was not fully constructed, several important insights were found throughout the testing process. Such as the suitability of certain ceramics, the suitability of temperature cycling hotplates, and the methods of reducing wasted heat generation within the system. These insights provide an insight into the future construction of such equipment as well as the refinement of the system to assure maximum possible accuracy.