Category: Transient Plane Source
Abstract: Silica aerogels have extremely low thermal conductivities, potentially making them effective thermal insulators. In this study, the thermal conductivities of various samples were explored using the Transient Plane Source (TPS) Method. Samples of the silica aerogels were approximately 1.3 cm thick and between 4.1-4.3 cm in diameter, and were tested at different temperatures. Results showed that as the temperature of the samples increased from 25-50 °C, thermal conductivity increased exponentially. As temperatures moved from 50 to 500 °C, the thermal conductivity increased more linearly. Such a high rate of heat retention at 600 °C proves that these porous silica aerogels would be efficient insulators in the future.
Reference: Journal of Porous Material, 20, 5 (2013) 1163-1170