Determination of thermal diffusivity of ceramics by means of photothermal beam deflection

Abstract

The non-contact and non-destructive photothermal beam deflection (PBD) method has been used for the characterization of the thermal properties of Alumina (Al2O3), Mullite (3Al2O 32SiO2) and Oxidic-Bonded Silicon Carbide (OBSiC) samples often used in chemical engineering. Measurements of thermal diffusivity κ have been performed. One obtains κ = 7.96 ·10-6 m 2/s for Alumina, κ = 1.94 ·10-6 m2/s for Mullite and κ = 3.91·10-6 m2/s for OBSiC. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.