- Author
-
Rennex, B. G.
|
Somers, T. A.
|
Faison, T. K.
|
Zarr, R. R.
- Title
- Evaluation of Fumed-Silica Insulation for a Thermal Conductivity Standard Reference Material.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
-
ASTM STP 1030,
- Book or Conf
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Insulation Materials, Testing, and Applications. ASTM STP 1030. 1990,
ASTM, Philadelphia, PA,
McElroy, D. L.; Kimpflen, J. F., Editors,
3-14 p.,
1990
- Keywords
-
insulation
|
standard reference materials
|
fumed-silica insulation
|
thermal conductivity
- Abstract
- Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) used for thermal conductivity measurements are required by industry, academic, and government laboratories for calibrating heat-flux-meter apparatus or checking the accuracy of guarded-hot-plate apparatus. New thermal conductivity SRMs are sought to improve the accuracy and extend the operational range of these apparatus. An advisory panel recommended the development of a low thermal conductivity SRM having approximately the same thermal conductivity as blown fluorocarbon foams, suitable for a temperature range of -175 to 900 deg C. Fumed-silica insulation was recommended by the advisory panel as the most suitable material. The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) examined four lots of fumed-silica insulation and recommended one candidate for further development as a low thermal conductivity SRM. The four lots of fumed-silica insulation were examined for their relative handleability, material uniformity, variability of thermal conductivity measurements, and effect of heat treatment on the measured thermal conductivity of the materials. Thermal conductivity measurements were conducted using the NBS 1-m Guarded Hot Plate for each lot of fumed-silica insulation at a mean specimen temperature of 24 deg C. Analysis of the thermal conductivity data was performed using the NBS statistical analysis program, Dataplot.