17.08.2023 by Dorothea Stobitzer, Fabia Beckstein
Visit and Test our Application Laboratory: LFA and Thermophysical Properties
In our last blog article, we introduced the NETZSCH Applications Laboratory and its comprehensive contract testing services. Let's now dive deeper into our different laboratories at NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing, starting with our lab for Laser/Light Flash Analysis instruments (LFA).
Thermophysical properties are fundamental characteristics of materials that describe their behavior in response to thermal and/or physical changes. In addition to density and Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity, the thermal diffusivity and Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity are the most important thermophysical properties. These properties play a crucial role in understanding how materials interact with environmental factors such as heat, radiation, and pressure. Accurate measurement of these properties is essential for various industries, including materials science, engineering, and physics.
One method for measuring thermophysical properties is the laser flash analysis (LFA). It's a non-destructive testing method that uses a laser or a light pulse to heat a sample quickly. The thermal response of the sample is then monitored using a detector measuring the sample’s temperature change. The primary thermophysical property measured using LFA is thermal diffusivity. This property describes how quickly a material reacts to temperature changes. It can also be used to calculate the Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity, which describes how well a material conducts heat.
It is essential for the designing of energy-efficient materials and systems, as well as for understanding the thermal behavior of electronic devices.
Contract Testing by Means of Laser Flash Analysis
We are Dorothea and Fabia; together we have an experience of more than 20 years in measuring and interpreting LFA data. We have the entire portfolio of our latest NETZSCH laser flash analysis instruments in use, like the LFA 467 HyperFlash®, the LFA 467 HT HyperFlash or the LFA 427. With these instruments in our lab, we cover a broad temperature range from -100°C to 2000°C and a Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.thermal conductivity range of 0.1 W/(m·K) to 4000 W/(m·K) in inert, oxidizing or reducing atmospheres.
Dorothea is also responsible for high-temperature DSC measurements, which are often used to determine the Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity. We also work closely with our dilatometer (DIL) colleagues. Our team has extensive experience in the determination of expansion behavior, density and Specific Heat Capacity (cp)Heat capacity is a material-specific physical quantity, determined by the amount of heat supplied to specimen, divided by the resulting temperature increase. The specific heat capacity is related to a unit mass of the specimen.specific heat capacity by DIL, LFA and DSC measurements. As a result, we LFA experts are often the first point of contact when it comes to determining thermophysical properties "in one package".
When you choose our contract testing laboratory, you get more than accurate and reliable data: You also benefit from the expertise of our team of experienced professionals. We know how to interpret the results of our measurements to provide you with insights that can help optimize your materials and technologies. And with our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, you can be confident that your measurements will be conducted according to highest quality standards.
Contact us today to tap the full potential of our method expertise. Learn how we can help you achieve your business goals with confidence.
Stay Tuned!
In the weeks to come, we will be regularly presenting selections from the wide variety of contract testing offerings by NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing. Join us on an exciting tour through our laboratories and follow our upcoming blog posts.
