Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials | ThermoFlux – 7039
The Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7039 is a steady-state hot plate experimental unit for determining the thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of non-metallic building materials including polystyrene, PMMA, cork, plaster, Armaflex, grey cardboard, PS, and POM. Specimens measuring 300 × 300 mm and up to 50 mm thick are clamped between a 500 W electric heater plate and a water-cooled cold plate, with electronic controllers maintaining stable temperature boundary conditions. A heat flux sensor plate with digital readout measures heat flux density up to 5000 W/m², supported by four independent temperature channels each ranging from −100°C to 400°C. Series specimen configurations of up to 50 mm combined thickness can be evaluated, making this unit suitable for composite building material analysis. Optional ThermoFlux – 7039SW DAQ software, developed in National Instruments™ LabVIEW™, is available for automated data acquisition and result calculation.
The Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7039 is a precision experimental unit designed to determine the thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of non-metallic building materials using the hot plate technique. This thermal conductivity testing apparatus enables steady-state heat conduction experiments on materials such as polystyrene, PMMA, cork, and plaster, delivering reproducible, accurate results critical for building energy efficiency analysis.
Product Overview
The Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7039 enables steady-state heat conduction studies on a range of non-metallic specimens in compliance with the hot plate method. Specimen sheets are placed between a heater plate and a water-cooled plate; a clamping device ensures reproducible clamping pressure and consistent thermal contact across all tests. A dedicated heat flux sensor plate measures heat flux density directly, while electronic controllers maintain the heater plate and cooling plate temperatures within close tolerances. The unit supports single-specimen tests as well as series configurations of multiple specimens up to a combined thickness of 50 mm. Temperature monitoring is provided by three sensors on the hot plate, three sensors for the cooling water circuit, and dedicated sensors at the cooling water inlet and outlet. This apparatus is suited to undergraduate and advanced laboratory instruction in heat transfer, building physics, and energy engineering, providing a practical understanding of how thermal conductivity in building materials directly affects primary energy consumption in structures.
Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7039, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | ThermoFlux – 7039 |
| Method | Hot plate technique (steady-state heat conduction) |
| Specimen Size (L × W) | 300 × 300 mm |
| Specimen Thickness | Up to 50 mm |
| Series Specimen Configuration | Up to 50 mm combined thickness |
| Specimen Materials | Armaflex, grey cardboard, PMMA, polystyrene, PS, POM, cork, plaster |
| Heat Flux Density Range | Up to 5000 W/m² |
| Temperature Measurement Range | 4× sensors, −100°C to 400°C each |
| Temperature Limitation | 60°C |
Technical Data
Electric Heater Mat
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 500 W |
| Maximum Temperature | 200°C |
| Temperature Limitation | 60°C |
Measuring Ranges
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 4× channels, −100°C to 400°C |
| Heat Flux Density | 5000 W/m² |
Specimen Dimensions
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Size (L × W) | 300 × 300 mm |
| Maximum Thickness | Up to 50 mm |
| Materials Supplied | Armaflex, grey cardboard, PMMA, polystyrene, PS, POM, cork, plaster |
Key Features
- Measurement purpose: Determination of thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of building materials
- Test method: Hot plate technique for steady-state heat conduction in non-metallic materials
- Clamping device: Reproducible clamping pressure ensures consistent thermal contact between specimen and plates
- Heater plate: Hot plate fitted with 500 W electric heater mat; maximum temperature 200°C
- Cooling plate: Water-cooled cold plate with inlet and outlet temperature monitoring
- Heat flux measurement: Dedicated heat flux sensor plate with digital readout; range up to 5000 W/m²
- Temperature sensors, hot plate: 3 sensors monitoring heater plate temperature
- Temperature sensors, cooling water: 3 sensors for cooling water circuit; separate sensors at inlet and outlet
- Temperature measurement range: 4× channels, −100°C to 400°C per channel
- Temperature control: Electronic controllers maintain hot and cold plate temperatures within close limits
- Series testing: Multiple specimens can be connected in series up to a combined thickness of 50 mm, enabling thermal conductivity evaluation of composite assemblies
- Specimen compatibility: Accepts Armaflex, grey cardboard, PMMA, polystyrene, PS, POM, cork, and plaster sheets (300 × 300 mm)
- Software: Optional ThermoFlux – 7039SW DAQ software; developed in National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ environment; compatible with all Windows™ versions
Experiments
- Determination of the thermal conductivity of different materials
- Determination of the thermal resistance
- Thermal conductivity of several specimens connected in series (up to a combined thickness of 50 mm)
Construction and Design
The Thermal Conductivity of Building Materials Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7039 is constructed around a hot plate–cold plate assembly with a precision clamping mechanism. The hot plate incorporates a 500 W electric heater mat rated to a maximum of 200°C, with temperature limitation set at 60°C; electronic controllers regulate both the heater plate and the water-cooled cold plate to ensure stable, repeatable boundary conditions. The clamping device applies controlled, reproducible pressure to specimen sheets placed between the two plates, ensuring consistent thermal conductivitymeasurement across all test runs. A heat flux sensor plate with digital readout is integrated into the assembly, measuring heat flux density up to 5000 W/m². Temperature monitoring across the system is provided by three sensors on the hot plate, three sensors on the cooling water circuit, and dedicated sensors at the cooling water inlet and outlet, giving four independent measurement channels each covering −100°C to 400°C. The unit accepts flat specimen sheets of 300 × 300 mm in plan and up to 50 mm in thickness, individually or stacked in series.
Software
ThermoFlux – 7039 (Optional)
- DAQ software specifically developed for the ThermoFlux – 7039 apparatus
- Developed in the National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ environment
- Measures and calculates results directly from the apparatus sensors
- Compatible with all Windows™ operating environments
- When software option is selected, a set of electronic sensors is included
- Software controllers for temperature adjustment of hot plate included with software option
Scope of Delivery
- 1× Experiment unit
- 1× Heat flux sensor plate with digital readout
- 1× Set of insulating materials
- 1× Instruction manual
Q1: What test method does the ThermoFlux – 7039 use to measure thermal conductivity?
The ThermoFlux – 7039 uses the hot plate technique for steady-state heat conduction measurement. Specimen sheets are placed between a heater plate and a water-cooled plate, and the heat flux through the specimen is measured directly using a dedicated heat flux sensor plate.
Q2: What specimen materials are compatible with the ThermoFlux – 7039?
The apparatus accepts non-metallic specimens of Armaflex, grey cardboard, PMMA, polystyrene, PS, POM, cork, and plaster, each in sheet form measuring 300 × 300 mm and up to 50 mm in thickness.
Q3: Can multiple specimens be tested simultaneously?
Yes. Multiple specimens can be placed in series between the hot and cold plates, up to a combined specimen thickness of 50 mm, enabling thermal conductivity determination of composite or layered material assemblies.
Q4: How is temperature controlled during experiments?
Electronic controllers independently regulate the heater plate and water-cooled plate temperatures. Three sensors monitor the hot plate, three sensors monitor the cooling water circuit, and dedicated sensors are placed at the cooling water inlet and outlet. All four temperature measurement channels cover −100°C to 400°C.
Q5: Is the data acquisition software included as standard?
No. The ThermoFlux – 7039SW DAQ software is an optional accessory. It is developed in the National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ environment and runs on any Windows™ operating system. When the software option is selected, a set of electronic sensors is included with the unit.
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