On the Thermal Conductivity of Dispersed Ceramics

Because of high operating temperatures, advanced high-performance gas turbines will require the use of new types of material. Included among these materials will be dispersed ceramic composites capable of withstanding high temperatures and providing the required strength and wear characteristics. Presented here is a review of several analytical methods by which the effective thermal conductivity of these materials can be determined. In addition, the description and results of an experimental investigation designed to measure the effective thermal conductivity of four of these materials, tungsten carbide–cobalt, tungsten–copper, silicon nitride, and titanium diboride, are presented. Measurements were made over a temperature range of 300 K to 900 K in order to determine the mean effective thermal conductivity and the temperature dependence of this conductivity. The results of the experimental investigation are compared to the values obtained from several of the analytical methods presented and also with other data available in the literature.