Effective thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of some rare earth oxides

Abstract

Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of three rare earth oxide powders (Gadolinium oxide, Samarium oxide and Yttrium oxide) are measured experimentally using Transient Plane Source (TPS) technique at ambient temperature. An attempt has been made to accommodate the effect of porosity of the powders on thermal conductivity. Calculation of effective thermal conductivity on the basis of a theoretical model has been carried out and it has been found that the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental values. Further it has been shown that the TPS technique is an effective method for the measurement of thermal conductivity of powders.