Thermal conductivity isn’t just a material property, it also determines key decisions in design and performance. It influences thermal runaway margins in batteries, device junction temperatures in electronics, energy efficiency in building envelopes, and even the reliability of a process when scaling from lab to production. And it’s also why C-Therm’s Trident is positioned as a practical, high-confidence path for labs and manufacturers who want to meet the standard’s expectations with accuracy, precision, and repeatability without turning every test campaign into a science project.
Fig.1 Thermal conductivity of a metal sample using Trident
So, what changes when a method becomes an ASTM standard?
It drives consensus you can actually act on.
Thermal conductivity data often vary across organizations, not because anyone is “wrong,” but because test conditions, specimen preparation, sensor selection, and analysis choices differ. A standard reduces that variability by aligning the community on how to run the test and how to report results.
Over time, that creates a more reliable ecosystem where:
- suppliers and OEMs can compare k-values with fewer “apples-to-oranges” arguments,
- labs can defend their numbers with a recognized procedure,
- teams can build internal material databases with greater confidence and traceability.
ASTM itself has positioned hot disc/TPS standardization as a way to strengthen how thermal transport properties are used in real-world design and quality control, especially in areas like building efficiency and electronics thermal design. (ASTM International | ASTM)
Where the new standard will be especially helpful?
Because heat transfer sits at the center of modern product performance, ASTM-aligned TPS testing is particularly valuable anywhere thermal conductivity data is used for screening, design validation, and QC.
Based on ASTM’s own discussion of TPS/hot disc standardization and its use cases, the biggest near-term impact is likely in: (ASTM International | ASTM)
- Electronics thermal management (device housings, TIM-adjacent solids, substrates, composites)
- Batteries and fuel cells (cell components, structural/thermal composites, pack materials)
- Building and construction materials (insulation development and performance verification)
- Automotive and aviation (materials development + quality control workflows)
- Pharmaceutical and process-adjacent applications where thermal transport data is relevant to formulation, packaging, or equipment/material selection (ASTM International | ASTM)
Just as important: E3088’s focus on a repeatable, documented transient method is a strong fit for organizations that must satisfy customer audits, supplier qualification, or regulated documentation, where “we measured it” isn’t enough, but “we measured it to this standard” is.
Why C-Therm Trident is an ideal platform for ASTM E3088-25 workflows?
Meeting a standard isn’t only about owning the right technique, it’s about executing it consistently across operators, lots, and labs.
C-Therm Trident’s TPS Flex configuration is explicitly positioned for conformance to ISO 22007-2 and ASTM E3088-25, and it does so using a double-sided hot disc sensor capable of measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity from a single measurement. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)
Here’s why that matters in practical marketing terms (and practical lab terms):
1) Repeatability starts with controlled contact and consistent setups
Trident’s TPS method is designed to avoid contact agents and provides flexibility/control over experimental parameters, two factors that directly influence run-to-run variability in real testing environments. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)
2) Accuracy is protected by “right test, right sensor, right timing” discipline
The Trident TPS workflow includes an initial scouting approach used to estimate test time, power level, and ideal sensor size, with guidance aligned to ISO methodology, helping teams converge on stable, defensible parameters rather than relying on guesswork. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)
3) Precision is supported by getting more properties from one transient event
When thermal diffusivity and conductivity are derived from the same transient response (and specific heat can be captured as well), teams can build richer, more internally consistent datasets without stitching together measurements from multiple instruments and methods. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)
Bottom line: ASTM E3088-25 helps the industry agree on how to measure. Trident helps your team execute that measurement in a way that is reproducible, auditable, and scalable, from R&D through QC.
Fig. 2 Localized heat generation on a PCB.
A quick clarity point: E3088-25 is for solids and Trident goes beyond that
It’s worth underscoring a nuance that often gets lost in the “new standard” conversation:
- ASTM E3088-25 is scoped to solid materials (including isotropic and uniaxial anisotropic solids, plus a method for thin solid slabs). (ASTM International | ASTM)
- ASTM’s earlier public discussion of TPS/hot disc standardization (work item WK46204) envisioned very broad applicability, including fluids, but the published E3088 scope as listed is clearly solid-focused. (ASTM International | ASTM)
That’s exactly where C-Therm Trident’s value extends beyond compliance.
In addition to TPS Flex for ASTM E3088-25 solid testing, Trident also supports Transient Hot Wire (THW), a method intended for liquids, gels, and powders, with fast test times that help limit convection effects in fluid measurements. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)
Fig. 3 Thermal conductivity of a plastic sample using Trident
| Material State | ASTM E3088-25 Scope | C-Therm Trident Capability | ||
|
Isotropic Solids |
 |
Included |
|
TPS Flex |
|
Anisotropic Solids |
|
Included |
|
TPS Flex |
|
Thin Slabs |
|
Included |
|
TPS Flex |
|
Liquids & Gels |
|
Not in Scope |
|
Transient Hot Wire (THW) |
|
Powders |
 |
Not in Scope |
|
Modified Transient Plane Source (MTPS) |
The new ASTM E3088-25 standard will help drive consensus in measuring thermal conductivity of solid materials. C-Therm’s Trident system fully complies with this standard and in addition, offers the capability to measure powders and liquids, providing a broader range of material characterization. (C-Therm Technologies Ltd.)