Thermal Diffusivity and Thermal Conductivity

LFA 427 - Laser Flash Apparatus / Pyrometer version for up to 2800 Degree C
Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are the most important thermophysical material parameters for characterizing the thermal transport properties of a material or component. The Laser Flash technique is currently the most widely accepted method for precise measurement of the thermal diffusivity and the LFA 427 is the number one instrument on the world market.
High precision and reproducibility, short measurement times, variable sample holders and defined atmospheres are outstanding features of LFA measurements over the entire application range from -120°C to 2800°C.

A special version with a pyrometer allows measurements from room temperature to 2800°C.

The thermal conductivity of disk-shaped samples of ceramic, glass, metals, melts and liquids, powders, fibers and multi-layer materials ranging from vacuum insulation panels to diamonds is measured with equal speed and accuracy. The temperature-dependent measured thermal diffusivity value along with the corresponding specific heat (DSC 404 F1 Pegasus®) and density (DIL 402 C) data are used to calculate the thermal conductivity.
The laser power, pulse width, gas and vacuum are variable over a wide range, making it possible to set the optimum measurement conditions for the very different sample properties.

The LFA 427 is the most powerful and versatile LFA system for research and development as well as all applications involving characterization of standard and high-performance materials in automobile manufacturing, aeronautics, astronautics and energy technology.

Determination of thermophysical properties is quick, easy and cost-effective with the new LFA 447 NanoFlash® Light Flash System.

A high-performance Xenon flash lamp takes the place of the laser, which is usually employed for this proven technique.

With the integrated sample changer for 4 samples, it is possible to run measurements on several samples automatically. The easily-accessible sample carrier allows short setting periods for test preparation and a high through-put of samples.

Unique is the optional scanning device (MTX) for flat samples up to 50 mm x 50 mm for determining differences in the thermal diffusivity over the entire sample surface with a spatial resolution of 100 µm in the x and y directions.

The NETZSCH LFA 457 MicroFlash® complies with the latest technology for modern laser flash systems. The table-top instrument allows measurements from -125°C to 1100°C using two different user-exchangeable furnaces.

The innovative infrared sensor technology employed in the system enables measurement of the temperature increase on the back surface of the sample, even at temperatures of -125°C.

The instrument can be used for small and large sample sizes of up to 25.4 mm diameter and, with the integrated sample changer, measurements can be run on several samples at the same time.

The vacuum-tight design enables tests under defined atmospheres.

The vertical arrangement of the sample holder, furnace and detector simplifies sample placement and, at the same time, guarantees an optimum signal-to-noise ratio of the detector signal.

The LFA 457 MicroFlash® is the most up-to-date and versatile LFA system for research and development and for all applications involving characterization of standard and high-performance materials in automobile manufacturing, aeronautics, astronautics and energy technology.


Please see below a video, produced by AZoNetwork Group, conducted with Bob Fidler from NETZSCH Instruments North America, LLC, at MS&T in Pittsburgh.

The new GHP 456 Titan® is the ideal tool for researchers and scientists in the field of insulation testing. Based on the well-known, standardized guarded hot plate technique (e.g. ISO 8302, ASTM C 177 or DIN EN 12667), the system features unrivalled performance over an unmatched temperature range.

Combining state-of-the-art technology with the highest quality standards, NETZSCH has designed a robust and easy-to-operate instrument, featuring unparalleled reliability and optimum accuracy over a broad temperature range.


Video clip: Very easy to change samples with the GHP 456 Titan®



The GHP 456 Titan® works with sheeted individually calibrated PT100 resistance temperature sensors (resolution 1 mK, accuracy in the range of a few 10 mK). Due to special sheeting, the sensors can be used up to 700°C (+ more than 100 K safety range).



The NETZSCH GHP 456 Titan® is the new benchmark in Guarded Hot Plate measurements.

With the Heat Flow Meter, HFM 436 Lambda, samples measuring 30 cm x 30 cm or 60 cm x 60 cm and of variable thicknesses ranging from a few millimeters to 10 (20) cm are tested between two heat flux sensors in fixed or adjustable temperature gradients. After a few minutes for the system to reach equilibrium, the built-in PC or external computer determines the thermal conductivity and thermal resistance of the sample.

Automatic plate movement and determination of the sample thickness simplify test preparation.

All test parameters as well as the calibration data are stored in the PC and documented.

Determination of thermal conductivity with the Heat Flow Meter, HFM 436 Lambda meets the industry standards ASTM C 518, ISO 8301, JIS A 1412, DIN EN 12939, DIN EN 13163 and DIN EN 12667.

TCT 426 - Thermal Conductivity Tester: Furnace/ Hot- Wire Method
Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are the most important thermophysical parameters for characterization of the thermal transport properties of a material or component.


The hot-wire method is an absolute method for direct determination of the thermal conductivity, based on the measurement of the temperature increase of a linear heat source/hot wire (cross-wire technique, according to ISO 8894-1) or at a specific distance from a linear heat source (parallel-wire technique, according to ISO 8894-2).



The hot wire and thermocouple are embedded between two test pieces, which make up the actual test assembly. The time-dependent temperature increase after the heating current is switched on is a measure of the thermal conductivity of the material being tested.

Another variation, the so-called "Platinum Resistance Thermometer Technique" or "T(R) Technique", is described in ASTM-C 1113. Here an integral temperature measurement is carried out over the entire length of the hot wire; i.e. the hot wire is both heat source and temperature sensor at the same time.



The TCT 426 thermal conductivity tester enables the use of all three of the methods described in easily interchangeable, pre-wired measuring frames.