Trident Thermal Conductivity Instrument

Polymer Thermal Conductivity Measurement

C-Therm has provided a breakthrough in the characterization of critical performance attributes of conductive polymers used in electronics and automotive industries. The main advantage the technique offers is the flexibility to test a wide range of sample geometries. As an example, clients at a large polymer producer use the test samples from their tensile testing regimen to also test the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity with the C-Therm modified transient plane source (MTPS) sensor. There is no longer the need to destructively machine or form specific sample sizes/dimensions to test thermal conductivity.

Keeping the Hottest Electronics Cool

The faster and smaller microprocessors become, the more heat they generate. C-Therm’s Trident provides vital insights into the development of all materials that contribute to the overall thermal budget, including thermal interface materials such as thermal grease and gap pads. These materials are typically compressible and the thermal conductivity varies with changes in the densification of the material. Clients use the C-Therm Compression Test Accessory (CTA) to precisely control the compaction of the sample in producing results reflective of the actual application conditions for the material.

From Explosives to Ink Toners

The C-Therm MTPS sensor is being used to safely test the stability, degradation, and shelf life of explosives because it is the only instrument engineered for evaluating the thermal conductivity of powders safely. Sample volumes are as small as 1.25 ml. This is also critical to a rapidly growing client base in metal hydrides, where materials are expensive and available in low quantities. The technology is also migratable to manufacturing environments as a cost-effective way to monitor powder processes for moisture and homogeneity.

Under Pressure

C-Therm’s Trident thermal conductivity instrument is helping manufacturers improve the heat transfer properties of liquids. C-Therm’s equipment is unique in offering the capability to accurately measure the thermal conductivity of liquids; the short test time (<1 second) and small sample volume requirements negate the convective errors typical in liquid testing with traditional techniques. As an example, clients in the Oil & Gas field use C-Therm’s High Pressure Cell (HPC) accessory in measuring the impact of elevated atmospheric conditions and temperature on the thermal conductivity of fluids.