FAQs

Thermal conductivity is a property that describes how well a material transfers heat. High-conductivity materials like copper, aluminum, and diamond transfer heat quickly, while low-conductivity materials such as foams and aerogels act as insulators. This property is expressed in W/m·K.

Understanding a material’s thermal conductivity is important because published handbook values may not match real-world performance under the representative application conditions. Measuring it directly ensures accurate design data.

C-Therm provides fast, reliable measurement with its Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument, which supports multiple methods and enables industries to evaluate insulation, cooling, or structural materials efficiently.

Figure 1: Demonstration of the concept of thermal conductivity.

Watch the video to understand what thermal conductivity is here:

The Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) method, patented by C-Therm, is a single-sided sensor/method that delivers results in seconds with minimal sample preparation, while being the only method that conforms to ASTM D7984. This method is also highly applicable for screening and quality control.

The Transient Plane Source (TPS) method, compliant with ISO 22007-2 and 22007-7, is double-sided and measures both thermal conductivity and diffusivity. It is not more versatile than MTPS, supporting anisotropy and thin film with anisotropic, TF, and Slab modules available, but it requires more setup and longer test times.

Together, MTPS offers speed and simplicity, while TPS provides advanced data and standard compliance. C-Therm’s Trident system includes both, giving users flexibility for different applications.

Porous and granular materials, such as foams, soils, powders, and aerogels, contain air gaps that lower conductivity. Results can vary depending on packing density, moisture content, and grain diameter.

Sample preparation is essential. Powders may be compacted when needed, but this depends on the simulated representative conditions — low compaction may be appropriate in some cases. Porous solids may require contact agents, though absorption can introduce errors. These materials are important in insulation, filtration, and geotechnical applications, making reliable testing critical.

Finite element modeling (FEM) simulates heat transfer in complex systems, but accuracy depends on reliable input values. Thermal conductivity determines how heat flows, while diffusivity indicates how quickly temperatures change throughout the system.

C-Therm Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument provides precise, application-specific data that engineers can feed directly into FEM software. This improves simulation accuracy and reduces costly prototyping in industries like electronics, aerospace, and automotive.

Yes. C-Therm offers contract testing through Thermal Analysis Labs (TAL). Samples are tested with the same instruments used worldwide, covering MTPS, TPS, TLS, and THW methods.

Turnaround is typically 1–3 weeks, depending on sample type and complexity. For time-sensitive projects, we also offer expedited turnaround in as little as 3–5 business days. Industries from aerospace to textiles use TAL to evaluate materials before committing to in-house equipment.

This approach provides reliable data for decision-making while giving clients firsthand experience with C-Therm methods.

C-Therm instruments comply with international ASTM and ISO standards, ensuring defensible and widely accepted data.

• MTPS → ASTM D7984
• TPS → ISO 22007-7, ASTM E3088-25
• TLS → ASTM D5334, D5930, IEEE 442-1981
• THW → ASTM D7896

Compliance guarantees credible results in regulated industries, peer-reviewed publications, and certification processes.

Yes. C-Therm provides installation support, operator training, detailed manuals, and ongoing technical assistance.

Training can be delivered virtually or onsite and covers instrument setup, sample preparation, and data interpretation. Clients also gain access to webinars, guides, and direct consultation with C-Therm experts.

This ensures even new users can generate reliable results quickly and maximize value from their instruments.

Yes. C-Therm has long supported universities and research institutes by offering specialized academic packages that include sensors, accessories, and training resources.

These packages give researchers access to MTPS, TPS, TLS, and THW methods, enabling them to test a wide variety of materials with industry-standard tools. Many peer-reviewed publications cite results from C-Therm equipment, adding credibility to academic work.

In addition, C-Therm provides educational resources such as webinars, guides, and the Method Selection Guide, making our systems not only tools for testing but also for teaching the principles of heat transfer.

C-Therm is the only provider of the patented MTPS method, offering unmatched speed and simplicity. Its Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument is also unique in combining four methods — MTPS, TPS, TLS, and THW — in one system.

Alongside instruments, C-Therm provides testing services through TAL, ensuring flexibility for clients at any stage. With ASTM/ISO compliance, global distribution, and decades of expertise, C-Therm delivers accurate data and long-term support.