Chapter 9 Dynamic pulse calorimetry—Thermophysical properties of solid and liquid metals and alloys

Abstract

This chapter discusses the thermophysical properties of solid and liquid metals and alloys. Thermophysical properties are a selection of mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal material properties of metals and alloys (and their temperature dependencies) that are relevant in industrial, scientific, and metallurgical applications. The chapter focuses on thermophysical properties that are accessible through dynamic-pulse calorimetry—namely, resistive self heating or pulse heating. Advances in computer-based simulations allow the simulations of heat transport, solidification shrinkage, residual stress, or even predictions of microstructures. As technology advances and specific needs for applications change over time, the list of accessible thermophysical properties cannot be expected to remain static. The chapter provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art capabilities in the measurement of thermophysical properties by dynamic-pulse calorimetry. The chapter discusses numerous advantages of this technique; such methods are particularly relevant because the applied energy is imparted uniformly to the entire volume of the specimen in less than one second on the one hand and yet permits the time dependence of some physical phenomena to be determined on the other hand.