Thermal Conductivity Reference Materials

In the measurement of thermal conductivity, reference materials serve a variety of purposes of critical importance. References materials should be robust, stable and well characterized over the range of required temperature. In addition, reference materials should be of similar surface quality and density to that of the unknown material or application.

Thermal Conductivity Laboratory Instrument Portable Meter Reference Materials

The present availability of certified reference materials has been developed for the calibration of thermal conductivity methods requiring a single point off-set. For methods of multiple-point calibration requirements, there is a sever lack of certified materials available. With the use of absolute methods, reference materials of special purpose may be developed. Over many years Thermtest has developed a library of materials and unique knowledge covering several methods.

Reference materials are used for the following purposes:

  • Calibration of a comparative thermal conductivity testing method.
  • Performance evaluation of a testing method.
  • Reporting against for unknown materials.

Reference Materials List

Three forms of reference materials, which can be used to calibrate comparative thermal conductivity methods.

In addition to supply certified reference materials, Thermtest has been developing thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity transfer standard materials for use in calibration of comparative method for more than 10 years. Reference materials come in three forms:

Standard Reference Materials

Certified or Standard reference materials (CRM) are of the highest accuracy possible and typically measurement extensively by multiple testing laboratories under the supervision of a national laboratory. There are a limited number of certified reference materials available.

Please contact us to discuss your reference material requirements.

Name/link Thermal Conductivity
(W/mK)
Thermal Resistance
(m2K/W)
Uncertainty
(%)
Property Temperature Range
(K)
Expanded Polystyrene Board
(SRM 1453)
0.033 1.5 Thermal Conductivity 281 to 313
Fibrous Glass Board
(SRM 1450d)
0.032 1.0 Thermal Conductivity 280 to 340
Fumed Silica Board
(SRM 1449 & 1459)
1.2 1.5 Thermal Resistance 297.1
Fibrous Glass Blanket for High Precision Measurements
(SRM 1452)
0.6 2.1 Thermal Resistance 297.1

Reference:
http://www.evitherm.org/default.asp?ID=969

Reference Materials

Analysis reference materials (RM), which are commercially available are typically well characterized across multiple testing laboratories. There are a greater number analysis reference materials available.

Please contact us to discuss your reference material requirements.

Name/link Thermal Conductivity
(W/mK)
Uncertainty
(%)
Property Temperature Range
(K)
Pure Iron
(NPL Fe09)
83.5 6.1 Thermal Conductivity 373 – 773
Electronlytic Iron
(Rod Form – SRM 8420)
77.9 1.0 Thermal Conductivity &
Electrical Resistivity
2 – 1000
Inconel 600
(NPL 2I09)
14.6 4.8 Thermal Conductivity 373 – 773
Stainless Steel 304
(NPL 2S09)
14.3 4.8 Thermal Conductivity 373 – 773
Glass Ceramics
(Pyroceram 9606 – BCR 724)*
3.84* 3.0 Thermal Conductivity 198 – 1025
Pyrex Glass
(BCR-039C)
1.1438 6.5 Thermal Conductivity 198 – 468
Perspex
(NPL 05/01)
0.1904 4.0 Thermal Conductivity 263 – 333
Resin Bonded Glass Fibre Board
(IRMM – 440)
0.0316 5.0 Thermal Conductivity 263 – 323

Reference:
http://www.evitherm.org/default.asp?ID=969

Transfer Standards

Transfer standard (TS) is a material of specific selection measured by an absolute method. Transfer standard materials have the greatest uncertainty. Material may be selected for a specific range of thermal conductivity, shape or size. As long as material is carefully selected and measured, a broad range of materials can be used.

Please contact us to discuss your reference material requirements.

Name/link Thermal Conductivity
(W/mK)
Uncertainty
(%)
Property Temperature Range
(K)
Expanded Polystyrene 0.035 – 0.055 2.0 Thermal Conductivity 281 to 313

Reference:
http://www.evitherm.org/default.asp?ID=969