Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Mn-Al Powder Compacts using An Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure

Abstract

AbstractThe effective thermal conductivities of various Mn-Al powder compact compositions were measured using an Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure, and extensive validation work was also carried out. Specially fabricated cylindrical compact specimens were used equipped with two thermocouples at strategic locations. The porosity of these specimens was also measured.The estimated effective thermal conductivities of various Mn-Al compacts were in the range of 5.5 to 10.5 W m−1 °C−1, which are much lower than that of Al (237 W m−1 °C−1), and close to that of Mn (7.8 W m−1 °C−1). The effective thermal conductivities of Mn-Al powder compacts decreased with an increase in the compact's Mn composition and porosity. Within the examined temperature range of 250 to 600 °C, the effect of temperature on the effective thermal conductivity was minimal. A purely theoretically derived prediction of Mn-Al compact thermal conductivity is substantially higher than the estimates of using the IHTP.