Experimental assessment of interfacial contact thermal conductance between graphite and matrix in cast iron

Abstract

ABSTRACTCast iron with good mechanical and thermal combination property is preferred material for the cylinder head of high power density diesel engine. Interface between graphite and matrix should play a key role in thermal conductivity of cast iron. However, it is difficult to measure the interfacial contact thermal conductance (ICTC) between graphite inclusion and matrix in cast iron. In this paper, a modeling experimental sample containing a macroscopic interface is designed and ICTC can be estimated with the aid of finite element (FE) calculation. At last the effect of ICTC on the thermal conductivity of cast iron is assessed according to the change of metallographic FE simulation results before and after considering ICTC. Results show that the magnitude of ICTC is between 1.0 × 105 and 2.0 × 105 W m−2·K on the whole. The interface makes the theoretical thermal conductivity of cast iron drop down 34.6%.