On heat transfer through a solid slab heated uniformly and periodically: determination of thermal properties

In this paper, some heat transfer characteristics through a sample that is uniformly heated on one of its surfaces by a power density modulated by a periodical square wave are discussed. The solution of this problem has two contributions, comprising a transient term and an oscillatory term, superposed to it. The analytical solution is compared to the experimental results obtained by using the approach first proposed by Ångström, which has become a well-known thermal wave experimental procedure used for the determination of thermal diffusivity. A number of conclusions are drawn from this comparison, which highlight the need to carefully consider the experimental setup employed when carrying out this type of measurement. The results may be of interest to those dealing with heat transfer problems, thermal characterization techniques and/or involved in the teaching of partial differential equations at undergraduate or graduate level. (paper)