3406/NAMRC/JS/22 - Flash Analyser for Thermal Diffusivity Measurements

3406/NAMRC/JS/2022 - Flash Analyser for Thermal Diffusivity Measurements

The University of Sheffield wishes to invite tenders for a Flash Analyser for measuring thermal diffusivity on behalf of the Nuclear AMRC at Brunel Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5WG.

Scope of Requirement:

Use and Description

The Nuclear AMRC (www.namrc.co.uk ↗) has a requirement for a Flash Analyser for measuring thermal diffusivity to support manufacturing research activities within the nuclear sector. The currently proposed materials characterisation equipment namely, Flash diffusivity technique will add extra capability to Nuclear AMRC's existing materials testing facility. This capability facilitates measurement of valuable and important parameters such as thermal diffusivity on heat transfer across applied materials to elevated temperatures, Room Temperature (RT - around 20-22°C) to 1600°C. For example, thermo-mechanical treatments in steel, heat treatments in steel/alloys and production processes of heat removal materials affect it's structural properties. These underlying changes can be assessed by this technique that enables measurement of variations in thermal transport property non-destructively. In addition, the flash technique will be a great tool in analysing and generating experimental thermal database including for (but not limited to) newly developed steels/alloys, ceramics and composites.

The flash diffusivity equipment is to be installed at the Nuclear AMRC's metallurgical laboratory workspace and will be a great addition to already installed Dilatometer and DSC techniques in generating accurate thermophysical /thermodynamic database for advanced nuclear materials from room temperature to 1600 °C.

In the case of heat removal materials property analysis, the thermal diffusivity and specific heat data obtained from this technique in addition to density measurements from our Dilatometer can be combined to estimate the important transport property, i.e. thermal conductivity as a function of temperature. Depending on the thermal history and metallurgical structural changes induced, the variations in transport properties will infer suitable process selection or recommend further improvements on the production process.

In addition, reliable values of thermophysical properties of industrially important materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous, composites, ceramics, heat resistant alloys and other vast range of materials can be assessed using the flash diffusivity method.