On the hot-wire method for the determination of thermal conductivities

Abstract

Although an exact solution of the conduction problem for the hot-wire method of determining the thermal conductivity of metals, gases, and powders has existed for over 30 years, the mathematical complexity of this solution has led experimentalists to analyze their data in terms of a simpler, but inaccurate, solution which results if non-radial conduction is ignored. We have approximated the exact solution, retaining all its precision, to make it as simple to use as the inaccurate solution. A precise correction for radiation is also introduced.