TA Instruments – Thermal Conductivity Meters (FOX Heat Flow Meters)
Thermal conductivity is crucial in determining a material’s ability to transfer heat, which is essential for optimizing energy efficiency and predicting thermal performance across various industries. Thermal property measurements also provide valuable information about a material’s composition, purity, and structure. The steady-state method directly measures thermal conductivity by applying a temperature difference across the tested material and measuring the average heat flux through it. The FOX Series of heat flow meters is designed to measure insulating materials and conforms to international standards such as ASTM C518, ISO 8301, and DIN EN 12667. It features solid-state heating and cooling of plates, thin film heat flux transducers, and four optical encoders, ensuring accurate measurement of heat flow for a wide range of sample dimensions.
The FOX Series of heat flow meters is specifically designed to measure insulating materials, adhering to international standards such as ASTM C518, ISO 8301, and DIN EN 12667. The system employs solid-state heating and cooling of plates and thin film heat flux transducers to precisely control the temperature gradient across the sample. With multiple configurations accommodating a wide range of sample dimensions, the FOX Series ensures accurate measurement of heat flow for samples with dimensions representative of real-world conditions. Additionally, the incorporation of four optical encoders provides the utmost accuracy in measuring sample thickness. An Automatic Sample Feeder (ASF) is also available to maximize sample throughput and lab productivity.
Technical Specifications
| FOX 50 | FOX 200 | FOX 200 HT | FOX 314 | FOX 600 | FOX 801 | |
| Maximum Sample Thickness | 25mm (1″) | 51mm (2″) | 51mm (2″) | 100 mm (4″) | 203mm (8″) | 304mm (12″) |
| Square Sample Width[1] | – | 204 x 204mm (8″ x 8″) | 204 x 204mm (8″ x 8″) | 300 mm (12″ x 12″) | 610 × 610 mm (24″ × 24″) | 762x762mm (30″ x 30″) |
| Temperature Range | -10° C – 110°C FOX 50 0° C – 190°C FOX 50 VHS | -20 °C to 75 °C | 25 °C to 250 °C | -20 °C to 75 °C | -10 °C to 65 °C | -10 °C to 65 °C |
| Temperature Resolution | ±0.01 °C | ±0.01 °C | ±0.01 °C | ±0.01 °C | ±0.01 °C | ±0.01 °C |
| Accuracy | ± 3% | ±2% | ±2% | ±1% | ±1% | ±1% |
| Reproducibility | ±2% | ±0.5% | ±0.5% | ±0.5% | ±0.5% | ±0.5% |
| Thermal Conductivity Range[2] | 0.1 to 10 W/(mK) (0.633 to 60.3BTU in/hr ft 2˚F) | 0.005 to 0.35 W/mK (0.035 to 2.4 BTU in/hr f2 °F) | 0.005 to 0.35 W/mK (0.035 to 2.4 BTU in/hr f2 °F) | 0.005 to 0.35 W/mK (0.035 to 2.4 BTU in/hr ft 2°F) | 0.001W/mK to 0.35 W/mK (0.007 to 2.4 BTU in/hr ft 2°F) | 0.001W/mK to 0.35 W/mK (0.007 to 2.4 BTU in/hr ft 2°F) |
| Available Configurations | Automatic Sample Feeder Vacuum | With External Thermocouple Kit: up to 2.5 W/m•K | With External Thermocouple Kit: up to 2.5 W/m•K | Automatic Sample Feeder External Thermocouple Kit Linear Gradient Guard | 0.001W/mK to 0.35 W/m K (0.007 to 2.4 BTU in/hr f+2 oF) With External Thermocouple Kit: up to 2.5 W/m•K | 0.001W/mK to 0.35 W/m K (0.007 to 2.4 BTU in/hr f+2 oF) With External Thermocouple Kit: up to 2.5 W/m•K |
| [1] Guard materials may be used to test specimens that are less than the nominal width [2] External Thermocouple Kit extends conductivity range to 2.5 W/m•K | ||||||
| DTC 300 | |
| Method | Guarded Heat Flow Meter |
| Standard Test Method | ASTM E1530 |
| Specimen Compatibility | solids, pastes, liquids, thin films |
| Specimen Thickness | Maximum 1′ |
| Specimen Diameter | 50 mm |
| Temperature Range | -20°C to 300°C |
| Thermal Conductivity Range | 0.1 to 40 W/mK |
| Thermal Resistance Range (for each module) | 0.0005 to 0.010 m2K/W 0.002 to 0.020 m2K/W 0.01 to 0.05 m2K/W |
| Accuracy | ±3% |
| Reproducibility | ±1 to ±2% depending on thermal resistance |
| Dimensions | 25″(63.5cm) W x 28″ (71.12 cm) D x 37″ (93.98 cm) H |
Available Models
The FOX 50 Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity and provides rapid results in a compact footprint. The instrument is configured with the identical high performance features and proprietary technologies of the larger FOX systems, including thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements, responsive temperature control, plus an integrated contact-resistance correction.
Covering a wide range of temperatures, the FOX 50 is an ideal choice for measurements of medium-conductivity materials such as plastics, ceramics, glasses, composites, concrete and more.
Key Features
- Compact size and cost-effective system for thermal conductivity measurements
- Solid state heating/cooling for precise temperature control
- Optical encoder for the most accurate digital measurement of sample thickness
- Proprietary thin film heat flux transducers for the most representative sample heat flow measurement
- Optional liquid cell for testing of fluids.
- Powerful WinTherm-50 software for enhanced testing functionality including heat capacity.
- Optional software for specific heat measurements of solids and liquids.
- Interfacial resistance correction (two-thickness method).
- Pyrex reference standards for calibration and verification. Accurate results can be produced for years between calibrations.
- Automatic sample feeder for high-throughput analyses
- Conforms to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301
The FOX 200 Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity according to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301. Operating in standalone or PC-controlled configurations, the FOX Heat Flow Meter provides rapid, accurate results. The instrument features proprietary thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements and responsive temperature control. The FOX 200 is a versatile instrument and is especially well-suited to measuring slices of cellular plastics.
Key Features
- Conforms to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301
- Easy-to-use, rapid results
- Stand-alone or PC-based operation
- Solid state cooling/heating
- Thickness measurement to 0.025 mm
- Two Thin-Film Heat Flux Transducers
- Suitable for R&D and QC testing
- WinTherm software extends flexibility
- Available Autosampler for unattended high-throughput productivity
The FOX 200 HT Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity according to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301. Operating in standalone or PC-controlled configurations, the FOX Heat Flow Meter provides rapid, accurate results. The instrument features proprietary thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements and responsive temperature control. The FOX 200 HT is a versatile instrument and is especially well-suited to measuring slices of cellular plastics.
Key Features
- Conforms to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301
- Easy-to-use, rapid results
- Stand-alone or PC-based operation
- Solid state cooling/heating
- Thickness measurement to 0.025 mm
- Two Thin-Film Heat Flux Transducers
- Suitable for R&D and QC testing
- WinTherm software extends flexibility
The FOX 314 Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity according to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301. Operating in standalone or PC-controlled configurations, the FOX Heat Flow Meter provides rapid, accurate results. The instrument features proprietary thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements and responsive temperature control. The FOX 314 is a versatile instrument and is especially well-suited to measuring slices of cellular plastics.
Key Features
- Conforms to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301
- Easy-to-use, rapid results
- Stand-alone or PC-based operation
- Solid state cooling/heating
- Thickness measurement to 0.025 mm
- Two Thin-Film Heat Flux Transducers
- Suitable for R&D and QC testing
- WinTherm software extends flexibility
- Available Autosampler for unattended high-throughput productivity
The Fox 600 Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity of large samples according to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301 standards. Capable to operate both in standalone or PC-controlled configurations, Fox 600 Heat Flow Meter provides rapid and accurate results. The instrument features proprietary thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements and responsive temperature control.
Key Features
- Solid state cooling/heating
- Thickness measurement to 0.025 mm
- Two Thin-Film Heat Flux Transducers
- Suitable for R&D and QC testing
- WinTherm software for full PC control and data handling
The FOX 801 Heat Flow Meter is an accurate, easy-to-use instrument for measuring thermal conductivity according to ASTM C518 and ISO 8301. Capable to operate both in standalone or PC-controlled configurations, FOX 801 Heat Flow Meter provides rapid and accurate results. The instrument features proprietary thin film heat flux transducers, digital thickness measurements and responsive temperature control. A versatile instrument, it is especially well-suited to measuring slices of cellular plastics.
Key Features
- Solid state cooling/heating
- Thickness measurement to 0.025 mm
- Two Thin-Film Heat Flux Transducers
- Suitable for R&D and QC testing
- WinTherm software for full PC control and data handling
DTC 300 is a guarded heat flow meter measuring the thermal conductivity over a wide range of temperatures accordingly to the ASTM E1530 Standard.
It employs one calorimeter module, located in the bottom stack, for the measurement of thermal conductivity, and a side guard furnace to prevent edge heat loss. The contact resistance is minimized by applying a pneumatic load to the test stack, and by using a thermally conductive interface compound.
Very versatile the DTC 300 covers an extremely wide conductivity range using three different stack modules easily interchangeable by the user. Tests can be run from -20°C up to 300°C. Typical sample size is 50mm (2”). Due to its flexibility and expanded analytical range the DTC 300 is ideally suited for research laboratories.
Key Features
- ASTM E1530: A guarded heat flow meter, DTC 300 does comply with ASTM method E1530
- Reproducible sample load for accurate measurements: The test specimen is held under a user-selectable compressive load between two polished metal surfaces. This reproducible, pneumatic load to the test stack also helps to minimize the contact resistance.
- Wide Temperature Analytical Range: DTC 300 operates from -20°C up to 300°C For sub-ambient testing, the DTC-300 is supplied with an airtight compartment, keeping the atmosphere relatively moisture-free with a dry air purge. Polymers can be tested through the melt using special containment cells.
- Easily interchangeable measuring stacks: Three easily user-swappable stacks expand the thermal conductivity range from 0.0005 to 0.05 m2K/W
- Software: Each DTC-300 system includes a Windows™ operating and data analysis software. Once the user specifies test parameters as specimen size and desired test temperatures, the equipment runs unattended until test completion, when thermal conductivity results are printed and plotted.
TA Instruments offers the most compelling range of benchtop and floor-standing Laser and Xenon Light Flash Diffusivity Analyzers measuring thermal diffusivity by the flash method from -150°C up to 2800°C. All systems include multiple specimen testing capability that provides several times increase in productivity. Full time pulse mapping, precision optics, and the latest data analysis models make the Discovery Flash platform the most accurate and precise system of its kind.
Brand
TA instruments provides innovative material characterization instruments that are widely used for research, analysis, and quality control in the evaluation of physical properties. We are the world’s leading supplier of thermal analysis, rheology, and microcalorimetry instruments, and our product areas have expanded to include thermal conductivity & diffusivity, dilatometry, rubber testing, and dynamic mechanical characterization.